Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) held the first of the Nile Special quarterly dinner in the year 2021 at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday, 21st April.
Lukiya Nayiga (Pool), Husina Kobugabe (Badminton) and Derrick Kakooza (Football) were the personalities rewarded for the January, February and March 2021 respectively.
Each of the sports personalities were rewarded with different plaques and Shs. 500,000 each.
Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and National Council of Sports (NCS) chairman Donald Rukare was the chief guest in the event also graced by the Uganda Swimming Federation president Moses Mwase.
USPA President Patrick Kanyomozi congratulated the respective winners as he appreciated the sponsors and sports journalists for the diligent tasks being taken in the challenging tasks of journalism in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has been a long time since were last here at a quarterly dinner. Our give credit to our god-fathers who founded this body in 1970. I would love to thank the sports journalists who have continued to work in the prevailing circumstances of COVID-19.I congratulate all the winners” Kanyomozi stated.
Rukare lauded the act of rewarding sportsmen and women for their hard toiled efforts as he praised the relationship of USPA with National Council of Sports and Uganda Olympic Committee.
“It is important to recognize the outstanding sportsmen and women for their work for it motivates them perform better. As the National Council of Sports (NCS) and Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), we trust the relationship with USPA” Rukare noted.
The different winners:
Lukia Nayiga:
Ntinda Giants pool player Lukia Nayiga won the Nile-Special month of January accolade.
The 21 year defied the odds to emerge Champion at the Esther Lungu Pool Championship in Malawi.
Despite travelling by road to Malawi, only arriving on the eve of the start of the tournament and also had to fight a bout of Malaria, Nayiga went ahead to win, including defeating Africa’s top seed Nicola Rosseau from South Africa.
“I am very happy having won this accolade. I am really humbled by USPA for recognizing me. This will push me an extra mile to perform better” an excited Nayiga stated.
Husna Kobugabe:
The Ndejje University student was unanimously voted the Nile-USPA Sports Personality for the month of February beating Joshua Cheptegei who successfully defended the 5 kilometre Monaco Race crown.
To win the women’s doubles at the Uganda International Open played in Kampala (Lugogo), Kobugabe partnered Marble Namakoye.
She also won the mixed doubles with Brian Kasirye, all in straight sets.
“To win such an accolade is a very big honour. I am very happy for the recognition that will keep me working hard” Kobugabe said.
Derrick Kakooza:
Uganda U-20 international and Police Football Club striker was the best sports personality for the Nile Special USPA award in March 2021.
Kakooza helped Uganda Hippos reach the finals and was also the tournament top scorer with five goals in six games at the 2021 AFCON U-20 finals in Mauritania.
I thank USPA for organizing, Nile special for sponsoring, my fellow players, coaches, the federation and everyone who has helped me in my career. This is part of my journey to become the best, I want to win the Ballon d’Or award in five year’s time.
USPA is the umbrella body for all sports journalists in Uganda.
It is proudly sponsored by Nile Breweries Limited with the other partners being Standard Chartered Bank, Rwenzori Mineral Water, City Tyres, NSSF, Uganda Red Cross and Imperial Royale Hotel, among others.
