2016 NILE SPECIAL-USPA AWARDS
Sports Personality – Denis Onyango
Team of the Year – Uganda Cranes
Best Sporting Event – National Open Pool Championship
Best federation – Uganda Cricket Association
Legendary Award – Sheila Angozibwe
Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango was the voters’ most popular choice as he swept some of the most prestigious accolades at the 2016 Nile Special/Uganda Sports Press Association (Uspa) at Imperial Royale in Kampala on Friday night.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, who also picked up the Male Footballer of the Year plaque, was voted the Sports Personality of the Year.
In scooping the day’s biggest individual award, Onyango became football’s first individual winner of the prestigious award since 1974 when legendary Cranes striker Polly Ouma, 74, clinched it.
Already crowned Africa’s best player (based in Africa) back in January, this latest red carpet experience capped a splendid year for Onyango, whose Uganda Cranes were also voted the Team of the Year.
The Caf Champions League winner with South African side Mamelodi Sundowns played a crucial part in Uganda Cranes’ return to the Africa Cup of Nations after 39 years.
The chief guest, also the Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Maj. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, handed over the day’s biggest accolade to Onyango.
“It was a challenging year with all the travel with Sundowns and Cranes. We had to travel a lot and played on different pitches, some of which weren’t good,” he said. “I thank my teammates. This award is for the team.”
Paralympic Silver medalist David Emong and rugby star Philip Wokorach, an African 7s champion, were the other two to share the top-three podium with Onyango.