ForteBet Real Stars Awards Honor Okello, Alwi, Matovu And Wasswa For June Brilliance
Excellence across the board took center stage today as ForteBet, through its Real Stars Monthly Awards, recognized top Ugandan athletes for their outstanding performances in June. Held at its usual venue, Nanjing Hotel, the ceremony celebrated stars from boxing, football, rugby, and rally.
More than just a monthly event, the Real Stars Awards have become a key platform for rewarding consistency and giving athletes in different disciplines the national spotlight they deserve. For many, the recognition goes beyond a trophy it validates months of hard work, attracts sponsors, and inspires the next generation to pursue sport professionally.
In football, Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder Allan Okello claimed the award after a brilliant month with Young Africans Sports Club.
He scored three goals in June as Yanga secured their fifth NBC Tanzania Premier League title. Okello finished the season as the club’s top scorer with 14 goals and 8 assists, a record that underlines his importance to the team. For a Ugandan player excelling abroad, this kind of recognition is vital. It boosts morale, increases visibility for potential club and national team opportunities, and shows young footballers back home that performing consistently at a high level will be noticed and rewarded.
There was also a special moment of tribute during the ceremony.
The Real Stars team honored the late Sydney Gongodyo, National Rugby Cranes and Stanbic Black Pirates forward, who tragically passed away on 5th June following a mob attack in Bukoto, Kampala. The recognition served as a reminder that these awards are not only about celebrating victories, but also about honoring dedication and sacrifice in Ugandan sport.
In Rally, Hassan Alwi was named Rally winner after emerging victorious at the KCB-SMC Masaka Rally in Sembabule.
Driving for the International University of East Africa and DFCU-backed crew, Alwi overcame stiff competition from Jonas Kansime and Duncan Mubiru, who finished second and third respectively. He completed the rally in an impressive time of 1:10:22.97. Having also won the opening round in Mbale, Alwi maintained his place at the top of the National Rally Championship log. Julius Kafuluma picked up the award on Alwi’s behalf, as the driver was engaged in Arua.
Kafuluma said Alwi was grateful for the recognition, noting this was his second Real Stars award this year. For rally drivers, awards like this are crucial. The sport demands huge financial and physical investment, and national recognition helps drivers attract sponsors, build their brand, and stay motivated through a demanding championship season.
Ukasha Matovu, famously known as ‘Morocco Ukashalee’, was crowned Boxing winner after a sensational return to the Uganda Boxing Champions League.
From filling MTN Arena to capacity, to making a dramatic ring walk in Irish gypsy attire, Matovu gave fans a night to remember. His trademark atomic left hook sent Katabi Boxing Club’s Isaac Kasasa crashing to the ropes, as he secured a knockout in 7 minutes and 29 seconds during Week Five of Season Five.
It marked his return to the UBCL after a 542-day sabbatical. Speaking after receiving the award, Matovu thanked the organizers and sponsors for appreciating his efforts. He called for more accolades, saying “I’m coming for more,” and also appreciated his fans and management.
For boxers, this recognition is important because it turns a single performance into a career milestone. A viral knockout plus a national award can open doors to bigger fights, endorsements, and a stronger fan base.
In rugby, Yasin Wasswa of Toyota Buffaloes beat Alex Aturinda of Stanbic Black Pirates to take the award. Wasswa was outstanding in June, scoring 19 points against Pirates in a tense final that ended 30-29.
His conversion and penalty-kicking accuracy stood out, and he was also named MVP of the final. Beyond that one game, Wasswa had been consistent throughout the league and delivered another top performance in the semifinals. His work rate and leadership were key reasons he edged out the competition.
In a sport that often struggles for media attention, awards like this give rugby players much-needed visibility.
They reward game management and clutch performances, and they help players get noticed for national team selection and potential sponsorship deals.
Ultimately, the ForteBet Real Stars Monthly Awards play a big role in Ugandan sports. They remind athletes that every goal, knockout, point, and rally stage matters.
They provide motivation to maintain high standards, offer media exposure that can change careers, and create a culture where excellence in any sport is celebrated equally. As ForteBet continues to champion athletes monthly, the awards are not just recognizing stars they are building them