2016/17 FUFA Big League
- Promotional final: Mbarara City 2-1 Synergy
- Main final: Masavu 1-2 Maroons
South Sudanese import Wol Makweth scored twice to inspire Western Region’s Mbarara City to a 2-1 victory in the FUFA Big League promotional match played at the Phillip Omondi stadium on Sunday.
The lanky center forward jumped high to nod home the opener as early as the 9th minute.
They lost the advantage 10 minutes later as they conceded when Solomon Okwalinga powerfully headed past a stranded goalie Muhammed Ssekebba for the equalizer.
Halftime of the interesting encounter ended with all sides having scored a goal apiece.
There were a couple of penalty shouts by Synergy players but FIFA referee Denis Batte reasoned otherwise as he justifiably turned them down.
With the game destined for a possible shootout, Makweth had other ideas altogether.
He booted Brian Aheebwa’s cross with three minutes too full time for the deserved winner.
Upon Batte’s final whistle, Mbarara City players celebrated wildly as now the Western Region has a club in top flight following the years of Horizon, Mbarara United, Biharwe and the like.
Western Youth Member of Parliament Mwine Mpaka, also the patron for Mbarara City was among the hundreds of fans who watched the match.
Mbarara City joined Masavu (Rwenzori Group winners) and Maroons (Elgon Group winners) as the other successful clubs to the top tier league for the season 2017/18.
Maroons overcame Masavu 2-1 to be declared the FUFA Big League overall winner.
Individual awards:
- Most Valuable Player: Solomon Okwalinga (Synergy)
- Top Scorer: Patrick Kaddu (Maroons) – 16 goals
- Fair Play Award: Ndejje University
- Coach of the year: Asaph Mwebaze (Maroons)
- Best goalkeeper: Muhammed Ssekebba (Mbarara City)
- Best Online journalist: David Isabirye (Kawowo Sports)
- Best Radio journalist: Lawrence Bwanika (102.1 FUFA f.m)
- Best Referee: Ali Kaddu
