LFA Awards 2026 Recognized Every Role As Ugandan Football Took Center Stage

LFA Awards 2026 Night: From Pitch to Press Box, All Winners Were Celebrated

Fifth June 2026 marked the second edition of the Local Football Appreciation Awards, and the ceremony took place at Sliversprings Hotel Bugolobi in a night dedicated to the people who power Uganda’s game beyond the pitch.

With a theme to appreciate different football stakeholders, the Local Football Appreciation Awards LFA featured 39 categories with over 160 nominees. From players and coaches to referees, journalists, and grounds staff, the awards cast a wide net to honor every corner of the football ecosystem.

Hajj Hood Ssekatawa Mini Football Personality of the Year.

The proprietor of these Awards was this time around to grace this event, former referee Kimbowa Richard who resides in the USA of late. His presence gave the night an added layer of history and respect for the officials who keep the game running.

Majority of these Awards were named after different legends in this beautiful game. For example, the Best Referee award is named after former international referee Charles Masembe. That naming convention rooted the celebration in Uganda’s football heritage while recognizing today’s contributors.

In some of the winners of the day include the Masar FC utility player Phionah Nabulime who won the Jean Sseninde Award as the best female player playing abroad. Nabulime won the Egyptian FA Cup, Egyptian Premier League title, and was voted the best foreign participant in the Egyptian Premier League. Her success abroad continues to raise the profile of Ugandan women’s football.

The Best Female Player of the Year, named after Oliver Mbekeka, was won by Kawempe Muslim Ladies Football Club captain Agnes Nabukenya who helped her side to clinch the FUFA Women Super League title. Her leadership on and off the pitch made her the standout performer in the domestic women’s game.

Onyango Geoffrey- Won the Dixon Bond Okello Award

Geoffrey Onyango was named Safety and Security Officer of the Year. The award is named after Dixon Bond Okello, one of the most respected safety and security officers on the African continent and across the world.Onyango Geoffrey works as Head of Stewards at NEC Football Club.

He is also deployed on different matches across Uganda, and he worked at the CHAN tournament, bringing experience from one of the continent’s biggest competitions to every game he handles.

Here are the Local Football Appreciation Awards 2026 winners:

Football Personalities and Players
Men’s Player of the Year: Karim Watambala – Vipers SC
Women’s Player of the Year: Agnes Nabukenya – Kawempe Muslim
Men’s Young Player of the Year: Allan Okello – Young Africans
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Dorcus Kisakye – Kawempe Muslim
Men’s Football Personality of the Year: Hajji Hassan Ssekatawa
Women’s Football Personality of the Year: Phionah Nabulime – Masar FC
Beach Soccer Personality of the Year: Omarios Ali – Kisenyi

Best Stadium Announcer- won by Moses Magero Mwanje.

Clubs and Fan Engagement
Club of the Year (Women): Kawempe Muslim
Brand of the Year: Vipers SC
Football Fan Base of the Year: Vipers Fan Base
Football School of the Year: St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School Kitende
Girls’ Football School of the Year: St Noa Girls School
Academy of the Year: El Cambio Academy / AGF Aarhus

Media Awards
Football Journalist of the Year (Women): Leirah Shamirah Nabisere

Nabiseere Shamirah- won the Aminah Babirye Award.

Football Photojournalist of the Year (Men): Jale Morgan
Women’s Football Media Award: Geofrey Mugabi – Sportlight Uganda
Women’s Media Icon Award: Peace Diane
Television Presenter of the Year: Denis Bbosa – NTV Uganda
Radio Presenter of the Year: David Lumansi – CBS FM
Football Show of the Year: Omumuli – NTV Uganda
Football Commentator of the Year: Peter Otai
Football Digital Excellence Award: Pitchside
Football Writers Excellence Award: David Isabirye – Kawowo Sports

Aldrine Nsubuga Award won by David Isabirye

Football Agency & Intermediary Excellence Award: Sepuya Agency

Other Categories
Mini Football Personality of the Year: Hajji Hood Ssekatawa
Masaza Cup Royal Football Personality of the Year: Ali Katumwa – Mutesa I Royal University
Alumni League of the Year: Kosa League

Coaches and Club Administration
Men’s Coach of the Year: Wasswa Bbosa – Kitara FC

Women’s Coach of the Year: Ayub Khalifa – Kawempe Muslim
Football Chief Executive Officer of the Year: Joshua Atugonza – Kitara FC

Refereeing and Match Operations
Referee of the Year: Stephen Kimayo
Assistant Referee of the Year: Ivan Lubwama
Medical Officer of the Year: Moses Magero Mwanje – KCCA FC
Safety and Security Officer of the Year: Geofrey Onyango – NEC FC
Grounds and Stadium Operations Award: Yasin Kawuulu – Lugazi Stadium

Betty Adoch Award- Won By Robinah Nabagooba from NEC Football Club

The second edition of the Local Football Appreciation Awards proved that Ugandan football is built by more than just goals and trophies.

It is built by coaches who mold talent, referees who protect fairness, journalists who tell the stories, medical staff who keep players fit, and grounds teams who prepare the stage. By honoring all 39 categories, LFA reminded us that every role matters. As the local game grows, nights like this ensure that no contribution goes unnoticed.