Following a brilliant campaign in which he scored a record 21 league goals, Geoffrey Sserunkuma was crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2016/17 season.The centre forward got his reward at the glamorous awards ceremony held at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala on Wednesday July 26 and drove home in a SUBARU, 2005 Model and also got cash reward of Ugx. 2 million courtesy of Betway.
“Glory be to God for enabling me have the kind of season I had at KCCA,” said Sserunkuma.
“On top of that, I thank my coaches, the technical team led by Mike Mutebi, Badru Kaddu, Morley Byekwaso, Richard Magera, Nelly Magera, Daniel Kiwanuka, and Robert Kabuye, the doctors plus our gallant fans who played a big role in my season.
For his outstanding campaign, fans also voted him their best player and top scoring with 21 goals meant the Uganda Cranes star walked home with three gongs.
With champions KCCA dominating on the night, Allan Okello, Mike Mutebi, David Tamale and KCCA itself won the Young Player, Coach, CEO and Fair play team of the season respectively.
But it wasn’t all about KCCA as Vipers’ Ismail Watenga took home the Best Goalkeeper award while his former coach, Stephen Kiggundu was voted the Best Goalkeeper Coach of the season.
Express’ Saddam Juma beat favourite Shafik Kagimu and Muzamiru Mutyaba to the Best Midfielder, Halid Lwaliwa won the Best Defender Accolade, the Late Patrick Kawooya was recognised as the Life Time Achiever while a fan, James Ssenoga was rewarded the Fair Play Personality of the Season.
In the Media Category, Red pepper’s John Batanudde was voted as Best Photographer, The Observer’s John Vianney Nsimbe took home the Print category award, Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo of NTV was named Best TV journalist while the Radio category went to Fiona Namiiro of Star FM.
Kawowo Sports’ Isabirye David took home the category for Best Online journalist while Bukedde TV earned special recognition.
Onduparaka fans were recognised as the fans of the season and FIFA referee, Alex Muhabi named the Referee of the season.
UPL Board of Directors, Arinaitwe Rugyendo was thankful to whoever has made the league progress and promised even more in the coming years.
“It has taken sacrifice, voluntarism to achieve the little success we have now,” said Rugyendo. “We now have a stable league at least in the recent past,” he added.
The value of the league has greatly improved and is estimated at billion shillings. I want to congratulate KCCA FC for being league champions. I appeal to Ugandans everywhere to embrace the league.
The ceremony was graced by EALA Speaker, Hon: James Kidega who represented Rebecca Kadaga as the Chief Guest and FUFA President Moses Magogo among other bigwigs.
The Summary of Winners
Champions – KCCA FC
MVP of the season: Geoffrey Sserunkuma (KCCA FC)
Goalkeeper of the season: Isma Watenga (Vipers)
Defender of the season: Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers)
Midfielder of the season: Saddam Juma (Express FC)
Top Scorer: Geoffrey Sserunkuma (KCCA FC, 21goals)
Young Player of the year: Allan Okello (KCCA FC)
Fan’s player of the year: Geoffrey Sserunkuma
Fair play club of the season: KCCA
Fair play individual of the season ()
Coach of the year: Mike Mutebi (KCCA FC)
Best Goalkeeping coach: Kiggundu Stephen Billy (Vipers)
Referee of the year: Alex Muhabi
Club CEO of the season: Tamale David (KCCA FC)
Media Personality
TV – Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo (NTV)
Radio – Fiona Namiiro (Star FM)
Print – John Vianney Nsimbe (The Observer)
Photography – John Batanudde (Redpepper)
Online – Isabirye David (Kawowo Sports)
Fan(s) of the year: Onduparaka Fans
Life Time Achiever Award Patrick Kawooya (SC Villa)
The BEST XI of the SEASON
Ismail Watenga (Vipers), Nicholas Wadada (Vipers), Habib Kavuma (KCCA), Timothy Awany (KCCA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Taddeo Lwanga (SC Villa), Ibrahim Saddam Juma (Express FC), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA), Shaban Muhammad (Onduparaka), Emmanuel Okwi (SC Villa) and Geoffrey Sserunkuma (KCCA).