It was a night of pomp and glamour as the star-studded FUFA Awards made a grand return, honouring outstanding sports personalities for the year 2024. The prestigious event was held at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Friday night.
Former Kitara FC striker Denis Omedi, now playing his trade at APR FC in Rwanda, was crowned Male Footballer of the Year, while Kampala Queens winger Zaina Nandede took home the Female Footballer of the Year award.
Omedi earned the top honour thanks to a stellar 2024 season, where he impressed both at the club level with Kitara FC and on the national stage with the Uganda Cranes. He played a key role in guiding Uganda to qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and led Kitara FC to their historic 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup victory.
Among the highlights of his campaign was a sublime Rabona goal against KCCA FC in the FUFA Super 8 tournament, a strike that was nominated for both the CAF Best Goal of the Year and the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award.
To seal his win, Omedi beat out strong competition from Patrick Jonah Kakande and Ronald Ssekiganda (both of SC Villa), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC), and Allan Okello (Vipers SC). He was awarded a brand-new Subaru Maybach for his exploits.
On the women’s side, Zaina Nandede stood tall above her peers, outshining Kawempe Muslim’s Agnes Nabukenya and teammates Shamirah Nalugya, Daisy Nakaziro, and Lady Doves’ Resty Kobusobozi.
Nandede had a remarkable year, contributing significantly to Uganda’s bronze medal finish at the Africa Games in Ghana with the U20 women’s national team, the Queen Cranes. She also netted six goals for Kampala Queens in the FUFA Women’s Super League, helping her side to a second-place finish.
During his remarks, FUFA President Hon. Eng Moses Magogo expressed delight at the return of the awards and praised the live broadcast facilitated by FUFA TV.
“The last time we had these awards, I said the next edition would be televised live — and I’m proud FUFA TV has made that a reality,” he said.
Magogo also noted plans to streamline the awards calendar moving forward: “We intend to host the 2024/2025 FUFA Awards before the end of this year to avoid the scheduling overlaps we’ve faced this time.”
Full List of Winners
Male Player of the Year
Denis Omedi—Uganda Cranes
Female Player of the Year
Zainah Nandede—Kampala Queens
Male Coach of the Year
Brian Senyondo—Uganda Cubs
Women’s Football Coach of the Year.
Ayub Khalifah—Kawempe Muslim
FUFA Goal of the Year.
Denis Omedi—Goal Against KCCA FC in Super 8
Upcoming Talent Award
James Bogere—Sunshine/Uganda Cubs
Beach Soccer Player of the Year
Brian Nkuubi
Futsal Player of the Year
Iiyas Omar Omran – Kisenyi FC
FUFA Member Associations’ Award
Futsal Association Uganda
Fans of the Year (FUFA Competitions)
Birangirangi Group
FUFA Presidential Award
Ashford Mamelodi
Fans’ Ugandan Foreign-Based Player of the Year
Rogers Mato—Uganda Cranes
Best Squad of a Particular Year
Uganda Cubs
MTN Media Personality of the Year
Male: Geoffrey Mugerwa—Salt TV
Female—Catherine Nassali—FUFA TV
Male Best XI
Hannington Sebwalunyo (GK), Geraga Atendele, Nicholas Mwere, Hillary Mukundane, Arnold Odong, Enock Ssebagala, Patrick Jonah Kakande, Ronald Ssekiganda, Allan Okello, Denis Omedi, and Jude Ssemugabi.
Female Best XI
Daisy Nakaziro(GK), Jolly Kobusinge, Samalie Nakacwa, Auki Kigongo, Shakirah Nankwanga, Zainah Nandede, Phiona Nabulime, Resty Kobusobozi, Shamirah Nalugya, Agnes Nabukenya, and Sylvia Kabene.
