The Pilsner StarTimes Uganda Premier League season awards took place today at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, celebrating the best performances of the 2023/24 season.
The evening commenced with Vipers receiving the Fair Play Team of the Season award, a testament to their commendable discipline, reflected in their record of 33 yellow cards and a single red card throughout the season.
A poignant moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the Platinum Award to the late Henry Balamaze Lwanga.
Recognized for his significant contributions to Ugandan football, Balamaze was instrumental in the formation of FUFA and the National Football League (NFL) and played a pivotal role in founding Coffee FC and later serving SC Villa.
Among the individual accolades, Patrick Jonah Kakande of SC Villa stood out, being named the Young Player of the Season. The young forward played 26 matches, scoring 9 goals and providing 4 assists, with five Pilsner Man of the Match titles to his name. He secured 6,779 votes, representing 31% of the online votes.
Additionally, Kakande was honoured as the Players’ Player of the Season, a recognition voted on by the 15 club captains, with 8 votes in his favour
Denis Omedi of Kitara was awarded the Coaches’ Player of the Season, a testament to his impressive performance, which included 15 goals, 4 assists, three Pilsner Man of the Match titles, and one hat-trick across 28 matches.
The goalkeeping accolade went to Tom Ikara of BUL, who achieved the Most Clean Sheets of the Season with 12 clean sheets in 24 matches.
Defensive prowess was also highlighted, with Ronald Otti of BUL FC being named Defender of the Season, having played a crucial role in BUL FC’s defence which conceded the fewest goals (17) in the season. Otti garnered 36.1% of the online votes.
In midfield, Ronald Ssekiganda of SC Villa was recognized as the Midfielder of the Season, with 26 matches played, 3 goals, 3 assists, and four Pilsner Man of the Match awards, earning 34% of the online votes.
Kitara’s Chrispas Kusiima was honoured as Goalkeeper of the Season, unanimously selected by 7-panel members and receiving 17% of the online votes, having achieved 9 clean sheets in 25 matches.
The coaching excellence award went to Dusan Stojanovic of SC Villa, who led his team to their first championship in 17 years, earning three Pilsner Coach of the Month awards and 37% of the online votes.
Maroons FC’s Abraham Kakensa Tusubira was acknowledged for his playmaking abilities, securing the Most Assists of the Season award with 10 assists.
Shaban Muhammad Jagason of KCCA emerged as the Top Scorer of the Season, with 17 goals in 25 matches, along with 3 assists and 3 Pilsner Man of the Match titles.
The Goal of the Season was awarded to Yunus Sentamu of Vipers for his remarkable strike in the match against Wakiso Giants FC.
The crowning accolade of Player of the Season (MVP) went to Patrick Jonah Kakande of SC Villa, capping off a stellar year with multiple accolades. The event concluded with the announcement of the Finest XI of the season and a closing ceremony, marking another successful year for Ugandan football.
