Real Stars Awards: Bogere hopes CECAFA show can inspire team in AFCON

CECAFA Zone U-17 AFCON Qualifiers golden boot winner James Bogere hopes Uganda can replicate their performance in Morocco next year in order to inspire the next generation of footballers in the country.

Bogere’s 7 goals from four matches during the qualifiers hosted by Uganda last month helped Uganda win the championship, in turn earning him the December Fortebet Real Stars Award alongside boxer Nuhu Batte and netballer Margaret Bagaala who also shone in their respective disciplines from the same month.

Bogere scored two hat-tricks against Kenya and Somalia respectively before he grabbed the decisive goal in the 2-1 win over Tanzania in the final of the tournament played at Hamz Nakivubo Stadium.

L-R: Boxer Nuhu Batte, netballer Margaret Bagaala and footballer James Bogere pose with their awards at Lazio Restaurant, January 7, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“Firstly, I thank God for enabling me to reach this far. It has not been an easy ride up to here but my coaches, family and friends have been there for me and guided me well and it is the reason I’m here today,” Bogere said.

“I want to become one of the best players in the country but the main focus is now on the AFCON where we must work hard to qualify the team to the U-17 World Cup. If we make it there, scouts will be on the lookout for more Ugandan players.

“The award comes in as a surprise as it was against stronger players but it is a motivation and also shows that I was doing the right things which I must continue doing. Special thanks to my teammates who have made me what I am and this means we have to continue working hard to win many more of such awards,” Bogere stated after receiving his award from Jude Colour Solutions Henry Zzimbe. He beat Vipers Allan Okello and Kitara’s Jude Ssemugabi who shone in the Uganda Premier League to the monthly award.

After grabbing his first Real Stars Award boxer Batte now also believes he can achieve all the best that there is to achieve. The welterweight boxer made history, claiming his first UBCL belt with a narrow 4-3 split decision over teammate Ukasha Matovu in the Uganda Boxing Champions League (UBCL) Season 3 finale at the UMA Main Hall in Lugogo. He was singled out ahead of Owen Kibira and Ezra Ssali who were the other nominees.

Seated L-R: Boxer Nuhu Batte, netballer Margaret Bagaala and footballer James Bogere pose with their awards alongside Jude Colour Solutions Henry Zzimbe, Fortebet's Resty Mbatidde Namugema and Real Stars Awards CEO Isac Mukasa at Lazio Restaurant. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“This is a motivation, now that I have gotten it, it means I can achieve even bigger things. I will just continue beating my opponents in my category as I make it to the top,” Batte said.

“I have been working hard and won all my fights last season, so I will not buckle down. So, my opponents must stand warned that I’m returning with new styles because I’m not only a boxer but can win with my own style and firepower,” Batte stated.

She Cranes netball star Margaret Bagaala was picked for the December award ahead of Mary Nuba and Gloria Aya having shone in the Africa Netball Cup with the team that finished second behind South Africa. Uganda lost 65-50 in the final but Bagaala was named as the Best Centre Player of the tournament, a feat that also earned her the Real Stars accolade.

“This award means a lot to me because I work out a lot as an individual but I also dedicate this award to my teammates and coaches who also were instrumental in ensuring that I added winning blocks in my game,” Bagaala said before she thanked the sponsors Fortebet and Jude Colour Solutions for bankrolling the awards.

She also promised even bigger achievements for the team in the upcoming competitions like the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in England next month.

Jude Colour Solutions marketer Henry Zzimbe said their sponsorship is one of the ways they give back to their clients and urged the sportsmen to up their game in the New Year to grab more accolades, while Mbatidde from Fortebet said the company was committed to supporting the awards.