The 2023/24 season of the Pepsi University Football League (UFL) officially came to a close with an Awarding Gala held on Tuesday at Kati Kati Restaurant in Lugogo.
The event was graced by the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) President, Penninah Kabenge, and other AUUS officials.
The night’s biggest winners were the University Football League champions, Nkumba University, and the runners-up Uganda Christian University (UCU).
Nkumba claimed several accolades, including the Best Performing University, Best Coach Award for their coach, Bbosa Sulaiman, Defender of the season, Ismail Lubega, Goalkeeper of the season, John Andrew Obwana, and three of their players were named in the Season’s Best XI.
UCU captain, Geoffrey Gagganga, who is retiring from University football, was the standout individual performer of the season. Gagganga won three major awards, including Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season.
Although he failed to lift the trophy with UCU as a captain after losing the final 3-1 against reigning champions Nkumba, Gagganga’s massive contribution for the Mukono side throughout the season was recognised.
Gagganga also won the Midfielder of the season accolade and was included in the Best XI of the season.
Speaking shortly after the awards, Gagganga expressed his excitement but emphasized the need to work harder as he hopes to join the Uganda Premier League.
“It’s exciting to win something, but as a player, when you win something, it means it’s a debt, and it requires you to work harder. As a player, now my main ambition is to join the Uganda Premier League and continue to play the game of football at the highest level,” he said.
The Best XI of the season included Obwana John Andrew (Nkumba), Lubega Ismail (Nkumba), Kitabalwa Robert (Uganda Martyrs), Arijole Godfrey (UCU), Abura Michael (St. Lawrence), Gagganga Geoffrey (UCU), Ssewankambo John Kennedy (Nkumba), Munir Sudhir (MUBS), Ssenonyunja Isaac (Bugema), Ssentongo Akbar (Uganda Martyrs), and Ofoyrwoth Isaac (UCU).
