Soliz House in Kampala, the home of StarTimes Uganda, was a busy confine on the morning of Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
On the day, it was the scientific crowning of Express Football Club as the 2020-21 Uganda Premier League champions.
FUFA, the league organizers Uganda Premier League and the sponsors (StarTimes) officially handed over the trophy, medals, and special prizes to the outstanding personalities.
FUFA boss Moses Magogo was the chief guest during a ceremony limited by numbers because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Magogo presided over the event as he handed the glittering trophy and medals to the Express delegation.
Franklin Wang (CEO, StarTimes), Kenneth Kazooba (StarTimes content director), Bernard Bainamani (Uganda Premier League), Humphrey Mandu Watenga (FUFA Deputy CEO), and representatives of the champions formed the guest list.
The Express delegation had head coach Wasswa Bbosa, goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga, CEO Isaac Mwesigwa, board member Suubi Kiwanuka, former chairperson Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, PRO Peter Tabu, among other club staff.
Magogo in his speech congratulated Express upon the momentous victory as he hinted at the need to use television to the maximum for football prosperity.
I thank all the partners in the broadcast of the Uganda Premier League. FUFA is excited to have such a moment considering the times that we are in. I congratulate Express Football Club. I am excited that programs of the clubs pro agenda are starting to reap on and off the pitch.I am not surprised that Express FC is on the podium. I thank StarTimes for walking with us in these trying times. I inform the football lovers in this country that we need a lot of resources. This StarTimes deal is the biggest deal in Ugandan football. Football in TV generates a lot of money. Football makes its own money. This can be possible via Television. Everybody should work to see that put football on the TV, take football to the audiences of the people; in the sitting rooms via TV. FUFA supports the UPL to a tune of not less than Shs. 1 billion, FUFA also finances the clubs that represent the country on the continent. FUFA finances the medical insurance of the Uganda Premier League as well as the Junior teams. We shall continue doing this to finance the league as well as the prize monies. I thank the UPL board for the work they have done to run the league than politicking.’ Magogo disclosed.
Moses Magogo, FUFA President
Wang was grateful for the bold decision they undertook to associate with Ugandan football now three years ago.
StarTimes is proud to be associated with Ugandan football for the third time running. Football is not only for recreation but also a profession. We pride in Ugandans to celebrate locally and internationally. We congratulate the champions.
Franklin Wang, CEO StarTimes Uganda
This is the victory that I have been yearning for in the last four years. I am humbled for this victory. I thank the team management, my fellow technical staff, players, fans and our sponsors. We are ready to play for a successful title defence as well as good representation in the parliament.
Wasswa Bbosa, Express FC head coach
At the beginning of the season, we warned the opponents and many took us for granted. We shall dominate for years. There is a lot that is being cooked.
Suubi Kiwanuka, Express FC Board Member
Other accolades:
Vipers’ striker Yunus Sentamu, scorer of 16 goals was the top scorer.
Sentamu who is christened Manucho picked his beautiful plaque from Wang and Shs 1,000,000 (cash).
“It is humbling to be the top scorer of the league. This was purely teamwork and I dedicate the accolade to the late coach Peter Ssebulime,” Sentamu stated.
Express’ Mathias Muwanga was named the best goalkeeper of the season, also taking home a plaque and Shs 1,000,000 cash.
The season was important not only to me but the entire Express Football Club family. We played like a complete unit. I am happy that I emerged as the best goalkeeper. I dedicate this plaque to three people, the late Kinobe (team manager), my mother and wife.
Mathias Muwanga, Express FC goalkeeper
Express will play in the CAF Champions League whilst Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) shall play in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Uganda Premier League winners since 1949:
- 1949 – United Budonians
- 1953 – Police
- 1959 – Nsambya
- 1960 – Makerere College
- 1961 -Not held
- 1962 – Bitumastic
- 1963 – Bitumastic
- 1964 – Express FC
- 1966 – Express FC
- 1967 – Bitumastic
- 1968 – Prisons FC
- 1969 – Prisons FC
- 1970 – Coffee United SC
- 1971 – Army
- 1972 – annulled
- 1973 – annulled
- 1974 – Express FC
- 1975 – Express FC
- 1976 – Kampala City Council
- 1977 – Kampala City Council
- 1978 – Simba FC (Lugazi)
- 1979 – Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB)
- 1980 – Nile Breweries FC
- 1981 – Kampala City Council
- 1982 – Nakivubo Villa
- 1983 – Kampala City Council SC
- 1984 – Nakivubo Villa SC
- 1985- Kampala City Council SC
- 1986 – Nakivubo Villa SC
- 1987 – Nakivubo Villa SC
- 1988 – Nakivubo Villa SC
- 1989 – Nakivubo Villa SC
- 1990 -Nakivubo Villa SC (Kampala)
- 1991 – Kampala City Council SC
- 1992 -Nakivubo Villa SC (Kampala)
- 1993 – Express FC (Kampala)
- 1994 – Nakivubo Villa SC (Kampala)
- 1995 – Express Red Eagles (Kampala)
- 1996 – Express Red Eagles (Kampala)
- 1997 – Kampala City Council SC
- 1998 – Villa SC
- 1999 – Villa SC
- 2000 – Villa SC
- 2001 – Villa SC
- 2002 – Villa SC
- 2003 – Villa SC
- 2004 – Villa SC
- 2005 – Police
- 2006 – URA SC
- 2007 URA SC
- 2008 – Kampala City Council SC
- 2009 – URA SC
- 2010 – Bunamwaya SC
- 2011 – URA SC
- 2012 – Express FC
- 2013- Kampala Capital City Authority FC
- 2014 – Kampala Capital City Authority FC
- 2015 – Vipers SC
- 2016 – Kampala Capital City Authority FC
- 2017 – Kampala Capital City Authority FC
- 2018 – Vipers SC
- 2019 – Kampala Capital City Authority FC
- 2020 – Vipers (*force majeure – Coronavirus pandemic)
- 20201 – Express (*force majeure – Coronavirus pandemic)
Congratulations to Express unpon lifting their seventh trophy. Next season is another chance for them to fight to keep the trophy home.