Local football lovers said bye to the 2015/2016 season on Friday 27th May as 2013/2014 winners KCCA became champions for the eleventh time in their history.
On the other side of the coin, Simba’s quest for survival ended in the worst way possible when they got relegated for the first time in 20 years.
The campaign saw the revelation of breathtaking talents, great performance of already established and experienced players.
Among them however, were players who distinctively and consistently excelled in their various positions .
To start off this list is Sadolin Paints FC’s goalkeeper.
Mathias Muwanga (Sadolin) – Goalkeeper
The shot stopper is blessed with a quick mind. His agility and positional awareness has been key to his team especially in defending set pieces.
Muwanga was a commanding figure in his defence enroute to their five consecutive victories (a feat only achieved by Sadolin the season past) and seven successive clean sheets in the same period.
Along side their defence, Sadolin have needed the brilliance of their goal keeper to finish the season 9th with nine of their twelve wins ending 1-0.
He finished the season with the most clean sheets (16).
Denis Okot (KCCA) – Right Back
A trophy he promised when he became captain is the trophy he delivered.
A perfect modern day fullback, Okot inspired his team KCCA to their eleventh league title and is two games away from making history.
The 2016 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup winner will be the first KCCA captain to deliver a double if the Kasasiro boys manage to lift the Uganda cup.
He is one of the best right backs we have in the country.
Joseph Ochaya (KCCA) – Left Back
Versatility is what defines the KCCA left back. Obsessed with going forward, Ochaya finished the season with seven goals.
Only Ceaser Okhuti scored more goals (11) than the left back among his teammates.
He also finished the season as the top scoring defender.
Not only is he a defensive menace but an attacking threat too who executes his duties exceptionally.
Musa Walangalira (JMC) – Central Back
The JMC vice captain has been the rock at the heart of his defence.
Arguably the best header of the ball in the league, Walangalira is also an excellent reader of the game and his technique is a skill many defenders lack.
JMC hardly conceded a goal from set pieces because of his ball heading skills.
In the absence of their captain at the beginning of the season, he captained his team and was a commanding force at the back.
With only 23 goals conceded, Walangalira and his partners in crime were the joint second meanest defence in the league.
According to reliable sources, a captaincy armband awaits him next season.
Bernard Muwanga (Bright Stars) – Center Back
His defensive prowess won him a place in the Cranes team that won CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup last year and the CHAN team in January.
The Bright stars captain helped his team to a perfect start especially in the defensive unit where he marshalls.
The Kawempe side welcomed the year 2016 as the best defensive side in the league with only 7 goals conceded and although a poor run of form affected them, Muwanga consistently performed as they saw off the season as joint second best defence having conceded only 23 goals .
Yahya Luuti (Maroons) – Midfielder
Dictating the midfield is the 19 year old Luuti who against all odds rose above the ordinary. With a touch of class and a visionary eye, he’s undoubtedly Maroons’ best player and ranks among the finest midfielders in the league currently.
KCCA’s Mike Mutebi needed just one game to appreciate his distinctive talent and if rumours are anything to go by, the boy is currently courted by the current champions and what a combination he wouldd make with Muzamir Mutyaba!
Luuti who was not long ago playing non league football in his home district has been a revelation to the beautiful game.
Muzamir Mutyaba (KCCA) – Midfielder
A creative force at KCCA, Mutyaba just like Luuti was let down by his strikers.
Nonetheless, the passing gem managed to score 6 goals, only bettered by Okhuti and Ochaya among his teammates.
With his defense splitting passes, the former Maroons player was involved in a number of goals at KCCA and was one of the key pillars at the club.
Musa Esenu (Soana) – Forward
After his outstanding performances at MUBS last year, Esenu has proved to be one of the best signings of the year with his love for goals a secret no more.
The forward scored nine goals in 2016 (the most of any player) as he guided his team to seventh and a quarter final finish in Uganda Cup.
Milton Kalisa (Bul) – Forward
Rated as Bul’s best player, the tricky winger has been influential in the side’s setup and also an ever present figure in the team aside from his recent injury.
At full fitness, Kalisa is a nightmare to any kind of a defender. He’s a wowing factor at the club
Erisa Ssekisambu (Vipers) – Striker
Farouk Miya’s departure presented a perfect opportunity to former Villa striker a chance to solely carry the former champions a thing he did despite losing the title to KCCA.
Ssekisambu has been the focal point at Vipers as he saw off the season with 16 goals, two behind Robert Sentongo.
Robert Sentongo (URA) – Striker
Referred to as an “indisciplined fella” by the man in charge at URA, Kefa Kisala, Sentongo makes the cut for obvious reasons.
He crowned the season as top scorer with 18 goals. He has enjoyed an impressive campaign with URA albeit finishing fifth.
Perhaps he would have finished the season with more goals had it not been for his unruly behaviour as he missed a number of games because of his indiscipline.
