USPA set to mark fifty years

 

A special crowning moment that surely left the Friday night audience at Imperial Royale Hotel in rather suspended animation. For Cheptegei, he literally ran to the stage to collect his accolade.

 

The big call for Ugandans to embrace sports was a central message throughout the entire night event.

 

"I hope more Ugandans can learn from me and all that I have achieved. Sport should be seen as a big industry. I feel humbled upon receiving such recognition"  he said.

 

 Cheptegei giving a speech after receiving his award

Cheptegei made history recently in Denmark by becoming the first Ugandan to win gold at the IAAF World Cross Country. He beat seasoned stars Philip Wokorach, Lilian Ajio, and Dennis Onyango.

A double gold medalist at last year's Commonwealth games added onto his feats means necessitated another award in male athlete of the year at the glamorous ceremony.

 

Onyango and Wokorach in absentia, however, won elsewhere. The former guided Uganda Cranes to the 2019 AFCON finals due in Egypt to win male footballer of the year.

 

Wokorach who remains such a consistent rugby player alongside Emily Lekuru won the best male and female players respectively.

 

 USPA President Patrick Kanyomozi on phone

  FMU president Dusman Okee and  Salim Uhuru share a light moment 

Stella Chesang who won gold in the 10000m at the Gold Coast Commonwealth games deservingly clinched female athlete of the year.

 

 Meanwhile, this particular gale presented a fair bit of firsts with the inaugural fan favourite award creating a special engagement with fans who voted Phillip Wokorach.

 

Interestingly, it is hard to ignore the glitz and glamour at the event with title sponsors Nile Special, USPA, Standard Chartered Bank taking the plaudits. Guitarist Myco Ouma and Joseph Sax music were irresistible as Lydia Jazmine worked the crowd.

 

"We are indebted to our sponsors who have fueled our ambitions with Nile Special staying on board for a long time", said Patrick Kanyomozi, USPA President. Charles Bakkabulindi, state minister for education and sports, businessman Charlie Lubega, Henry Ssekabembe (Buganda sports minister) were some of the big wigs at the meet.

 

 FMU president Dusman Okee has a little moment with ICT minister Frank Tumwebaze and Sports Minister Charles Bakkabulindi as Buganda minister for youth, Henry Kiberu Sekabembe looks on 

 Stella Chesang receives her Female Athlete of the Year award from Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing Manager Cynthia Mpanga as Brussels Airline's Catherine Pauline Lutaaya looks on 

Ben Misagga (Nyamityobora FC and Agrey  Ashaba KCCA, Martin Ondeko (UCA) were some of the sports administrators present.

 

Frank Tumwebaze who represented the First lady Janet Museveni expressed that sports define health and employment urging sports people to make known their demands to the government which is willing to help.

 

With USPA set to mark fifty years next year, its significance and authority on local sport grows deeper.

 

 

Venue: Imperial Royale Hotel

 

 

 

John Oduke

 

 

She Cranes

 

 

FUFA

 

 

2018 Africa Para-badminton

 

 

Phillip Wokorach

 

 

Dennis Onyango

 

 

Ruth Aturo

 

 

Joshua Cheptegei

 

 

Stella Chesang

 

 

Phillip Wokorach

 

 

Emily Lekuru

 

 

Brian Kasirye

 

 

Husnah Kobugabe

 

 

Isaac Mubikirwa

 

 

Ronald Otile

 

 

Eva Magala

 

 

Juma Miiro

 

 

Susan Muwonge & Edmond Kyeyune

 

 

Jimmy Enabu

 

 

Jamila Nansikombi

 

 

Riazat Shah

 

 

Imaculate Nakisuuyi

 

 

Patricia Apolot

 

 

Francis Ongom

 

 

Sara Nanyanzi

 

 

Hamdan Ssemwanga Lutaaya

 

 

Mansoor Bwanika

 

 

Rita Nimusiima

 

 

Lillian Ajio

 

 

William Birimuye

 

 

Carol Pulkol

 

 

Arthur Ssegwanyi

 

 

Peninah Nakabo

 

 

Boris Aguma

 

 

Colins Batuusa

 

 

Doreen Mbabazi

 

 

Watson Mugume

 

 

Denise Nanjeru

 

 

Smith Okumu

 

 

Habiba Namala

 

 

Rose Nsereko

 

 

Eddy Baguma

 

 

Harriet Akot