USPA/Nile Special December 2015 Award:
- Winner: Edward Kakembo
- 1st Runners-up: Dennis Onyango
African newly crowned feather weight champion, Edward Kakembo was voted the best Nile Special sports personality for the month of December 2015 by the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA).
This was during the sports body’s monthly convention that took place at Scarlet Hall, Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Monday.
The fighter, who is easily recognized by his trade mark chains, tallied 495 votes to beat second placed Uganda Cranes goalie, Dennis Onyango (415) in a two horse race.
Onyango had a great spell of month in month guiding his South African club, Mamelodi Sun downs F.C to the Nedbank victory.
Christened the Messiah for his enviable fighting style, Kakembo won the hearts of many Uganda and Africans in general when he overcame Nigerian fighter, Scorrow on a points decision after highly contested six round of action in Abuja on boxing day.
Kakembo who scored 109-116, 112-116 and 115-113 had been invited on a short notice when a Kenyan boxer who was meant to play was injured at the last moments.
For the success, the Ugandan smiled back home with a cash prize of 1.5 Nigerian Naira.
Bukedde T.V’s Hussein Wasswa told Kawowo Sports about the winner, Kakembo;
For his exceptional performances in the ring, Kakembo deserves this accolade. He fought gallantly despite being called a short notice
How the USPA Members Voted:
Kakembo who was nominated by The Observer’s James Ssekandi and seconded by Bukedde’s Silvano Kibuuka returned amassive votes of 495, winning with a difference of 80 votes.
Onyango was nominated by The Observer’s John Vianney Nsiimbe and seconded by Top Media group’s Peter Tabu.
Commendations:
The USPA members also commended five different sporting teams for excellence during the month of December 2015.
City Oilers and UCU Lady Canons were recognized for winning the men and women respective basketball titles.
Nemostars and Ndejje Elites volleyball clubs took the nod for clinching the national league houours in the male and female genders.
Uganda Cranes had the mention for winning the 14th CECAFA Senior Challenge cup in Ethiopia and Ndejje University were hailed for winning a third straight national university sports title.
Individual Sport Winners:
Onyango bounced back as the best footballer in 2015 narrowly edging the impressive Faruku Miya in a much contested affair.
Sandra Nabweteeme was the best performing woman footballer of the year.
The young Toro Club handicap zero player, Ronald Otile took home the best male golfer of the year as Sergent Flavia Namakula was named the female golfer of the year.
Other winners were George Aporu and Zayina Kagoya (Volleyball,), Kami Kabangu and Flavia Oketcho (basketball), Angella Busingye (pool, women) and the 2015 Nile special national pool open winner, Amos Ndyagumanawe.
Fazil Juma Kaggwa won the boxer of the year accolade as Tracy Naluwooza edged Shamim Bangi to the female badminton player of the year.
Mr. Universe, Ivan Byekwaso was unanimously the journalists’ pick for body builder of the year as so was Cricketer Roger Mukasa, Patricia (kick-boxing), Jacob Okidi (Darts, men), Rachael Nannyonga (netball), Duncan Mugabe (Tennis), Arthur Blick Junior & Unisan Bakunda rally crew (Motorsport), Arthur Ssegwanyi and Grace Kigeni (Chess), Joan Mukoova and Joel Adupa (Woodball) as well as Maxim Van Pee (Motor-cross).
Hima Heathens captain, Michael Wokorach beat Pirates youngster Pius Ogena to the best rugby player of the year in the male gender as Samiya Ayikoru took the ladies’ honour unquestioned.
Team of the year:
Victory stands of the three, The Netball She Cranes, Uganda Golf team and the rugby Cranes as the winner will be announced at the annual dinner.
Sports personality of the year:
Three individuals; Ivan Byekwaso (body building), Ronald Otile (Golf) and Rachael Nannyonga (Netball) made the short list on the final top three to vie for the sportsman of the year as the crowning ceremony comes in three months’ time.
Activities of USPA are supported by Nile Special, Standard Chartered Bank, Brussels Airlines and Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.
