Despite joining midway the season, Tonny Atukunda was named NEC’s player of the season and awarded a dinner organised by the club at Silver Springs, Bugolobi.
The midfielder joined the Bugolobi based side from record league champions SC Villa in the secondary window and featured in all but one match.
His arrival coincided with the club’s return to form in which they went over 18 matches unbeaten until they fell to Villa and Calvary in the last two outings.
“I feel excited, especially because I had not spent a lot of time here and I had started my season slowly before joining NEC FC,” Atukunda said after receiving the award from club Vice President, Maj. Edgar Ankwasa.
“It has been through hard work and patience. I have always strived to remain consistent and stay on the field of play. There is a lot of teamwork here,” he elaborated.
Other award winners included Hannington Ssebwalunyo who bagged both the Fans’ players of the season and golden glove, Richard Basangwa, another mid-season arrival took him the best forward gong while Joseph Sseremba was awarded with the midfielder of the season for the club.
Emmanuel Kulanga’s volley over SC Villa in the 4-1 defeat won him the goal of the season accolade and Warren Bbule was named best defender.
Following an abysmal start to the season that saw Hussein Mbalangu lose his job to Badru Kaddu, NEC arrested the bad form to finish 5th on the log with 53 points.
On the same dinner, NEC FC bid farewell to midfielder Paul Mucureezi and goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan. Ochan had announced his retirement after the first round of the season, while Mucureezi parted ways with the club under unknown circumstances and both were appreciated.
NEC SUMMARY OF 2025/26 SEASON AWARDS
- Most Valuable Player: Tonny Atukunda
- Fan’s Player of the season: Hannington Ssebwalunyo
- Golden Glove: Hannington Ssebwalunyo
- Best Defender: Warren Bbule
- Midfielder of the season: Joseph Sseremba
- Best Forward: Richard Basangwa
- Goal of the season: Emmanuel Kulanga
