Handball veteran Agonzibwa clinches top honour at UOC awards
Uganda Rugby Union was named the Sports Federation of the Year, winning a cash prize of sh4m.
Uganda Handball Federation President Shiella Agonzibwe won the Lifetime Achiever Award of the year. PHOTO: Johnson Were
Long-serving Uganda Handball Federation official Shila Agonzibwa has won the 2025 Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Lifetime Achievers Award, which comes with a cash prize of sh2 million.
Agonzibwa claimed the award at a ceremony held at Mestil Hotel on March 14, 2026, beating fellow nominees including IOC member William Blick, Weightlifting Federation president Salim Musoke, and veteran journalist James Bakama.
An excited Agonzibwa said, “I am very happy to be recognised because I never knew I would win this award. What I can tell athletes and officials is to never give up. If I had given up, I would not have taken both the women’s and men’s teams to AFCON with the financial challenges we face.”
USPA president Moses Alysaed hands over the plaque for the 2025 federation of the year Award to Rugby Cranes' Conrad Wantama as other Rugby officials, Yayiro Kasasa (left), Uganda Rugby Union President Godwin Kayangwe (3rd Right) and secretary Peter Odongo (2nd right ) look on at a function held at Mestil Hotel. PHOTO: Johnson Were
Uganda Rugby Union was named the Sports Federation of the Year, winning a cash prize of sh4m. Other federations nominated for the award included Uganda Athletics Federation, Uganda Swimming Federation, and FUFA.
The She Cranes were crowned the 2025 Female Team of the Year, winning sh4 million and a plaque. They beat The Gazelles basketball team, the Lady Rugby Cranes Sevens, and the Crested Cranes, who were also nominated in the category.
The Uganda Cubs (U17) were voted the Male Team of the Year, also winning sh4 million. They beat the Silverbacks basketball team and the Rugby Cranes to claim the award. The Cubs achieved historic success at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup, reaching the round of 16 for the first time after stunning France 1-0 and later Senegal 1-0 in the round of 32.
Winners of the 2025 UOC AWARDS pose for a Photo with he plaques and certificates at the UOC Awards Dinner at the Mestil Hotel on Saturday March 14,2026. PHOTO: Johnson Were
Swimmer Anna Gloria Muzito won the Female Athlete of the Year Award, receiving sh3 million. She beat long-distance runners Sarah Chelangat and Rebecca Chelangat to the title.
Double medalist at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games and world record holder in the 5km road race, Samuel Cherop Simba, was named Male Athlete of the Year, receiving a trophy and sh3 million cash prize.