The National Council of Sports, the Ministry of Education and Sports with the Commission for Sports are confident the path taken by the Uganda Secondary School Sports Association (USSSA) to start awarding excellent athletes each year will bring a lasting impact on sports development in the county.

USSSA held the inaugural excellence awards at the Imperial Royale Hotel, and 36 medals were awarded to various athletes for the year 2023.

The commissioner of sports Rev. Dr. Duncan Mugumya who represented Sports Minister, Peter Ogwang urged sports administrators to answer the question as to why our young teams are strong but at the senior level, they despair.

“Our young teams can beat England but at the senior level, they fail even to beat the weak teams on the continent. Once this question is solved, then Uganda will excel,” noted Rev. Mugumya.

He thanked the government for increasing the sports budget from sh2.5b to sh48.9b while that of schools has moved from sh0.5m to sh7.5b, and the reason the sports awards have been initiated.

USSSA president, Justus Mugisha said that not thanking children could be one reason they drop sports after school.

USSSA Excellence Awards Categories

Male Athlete -Allan Oyirwoth

Female Athlete-Peace Nyimungere

Basketball 3X3 Boys MVP - Albert Aluma

Basketball 3X3 Girls MVP - Winfred Akello

Handball MVP female-Peace Akangombe

Handball MVP Male- Anthony Lamu

Woodball MVP Female-Shakira Nagudi

Woodball MVP Male-Godfrey Kawooya

Dancesport MVP Female- Sophia Kawala

Dancesport MVP Male-Ramadhan Ssengoba

Athletics Male-Solomon Emojong

Athletics Female MVP-Priscilla Akello

Hockey female player-Anitah Atim

Hockey male player- Ephraim Mutatwala

Tennis Male Player-Mathew Barigye

Tennis Female player-Birungi Winnie

Male swimmer- Pendo Kaumi

Female swimmer-Karimah Katemba

Male beach soccer player-Michael Kuol

Female beach soccer player-Aidah Namuwonge.

Table Tennis Male player-Shafik Batanda

Table Tennis female player-Halima Astollo

Badminton female player-Parvin Nangonzi

Badminton male  player-Bruno Agaba

Primary School of the year-Heritage Primary School

MVP Girls volleyball- Pearl Ankunda

MVP boys volleyball-Isaac Kakuru

Basketball 5X5 boys MVP - Martin Saasita

Basketball 5X5 girls MVP-Mary Amanyiyo

Beach Volleyball MVP boys-Aziz Busingye 

Beach Volleyball the girls-Faith  Amanyire

Rugby 7s MVP male-Ariaha Kagasha

Rugby 7s MVP Female- Anena Carolyn

Rugby 15s MVP Female-Mariam Gamisha

Rugby 15s MVP Male-Job Owembabazi Football MVP Girls- Peace Nyimwungere Football MVP Male-Allan Oyirwoth.

MVP Netball-Aisha Nakuya.

Lacrose player- Ruth Tushemerirwe

Best Female coach-Lillian Mugisha

Best Male coach -Ayub Khalifah Kiyingi

Special needs school of the year - St Francis School Of The Blind Mandela

Fair Play School of the year - St Noah Girls Zana.

Female sports teacher- Kyolaba Grace-

Male sports teacher-Erias Kasujja

School of the year-St Mary's Kitende