Veteran Ugandan sports journalist and former footballer Yusuf Baliluno has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Real Stars Awards for his outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of Ugandan football.
Baliluno was recognised for a remarkable career that has seen him serve the game in several capacities—as a footballer, sports journalist, radio commentator, supporter and promoter.
Speaking at the awards, Real Stars Awards CEO Isaac Mukasa said Baliluno’s contribution to Ugandan football stretches across generations and deserves special recognition.
“Yusuf Baliluno’s contribution to Ugandan football goes far beyond the years he spent as a player. He has been part of the game in many different capacities—as a footballer, a sports journalist, a commentator, a supporter and someone who has consistently promoted Ugandan football,” Mukasa said.
Baliluno’s football journey began while he was still a student. He played for schools including Mater Maria and St. Benedict Swaya in Masaka, where his talent quickly attracted attention.
He was later scouted by Kawalya, who signed him for Villa International while he was still in Senior Three.
At the time, Villa International was home to several established stars, including Adam Semugabi, Steven Bogere and Sula Kato, making Baliluno’s breakthrough at such a young age a major statement of his talent.
“To be identified as a young talent while still in Senior Three and given an opportunity to play for Villa International alongside some of the biggest names in Ugandan football at the time speaks volumes about his ability,” Mukasa added.
Baliluno subsequently played for Bukedi Stars, helping the club qualify for the Super League. He also featured for Military Police, contributing to their promotion to the top flight.
His playing career later took him to Kampala UTODA and Mityana UTODA, with Mityana UTODA reaching the Uganda Cup final during his time at the club.
One of the memorable moments of his playing career came when he was tasked with containing Hakim Magumba, who was renowned for his blistering pace and ability to trouble defenders.
Baliluno received a red card during the encounter, but remarkably, it remained the only red card of his playing career.
After his playing days, Baliluno successfully transitioned into sports journalism.
He joined CBS in 2001, beginning a 17-year career in radio sports journalism that lasted until 2018.
During that period, he became one of the notable voices covering Ugandan football, particularly the Masaza Cup, where he was among the early broadcasters providing live commentary on matches.
He also followed the Uganda Cranes on international assignments and played a role in mobilising supporters to travel and back the national team.
At one point, Baliluno organised supporter trips, including a bus journey for Ugandan fans to South Africa to watch the Cranes in action.
Mukasa said it was this combination of playing, reporting, commentary and fan engagement that made Baliluno’s contribution particularly unique.
“What makes Yusuf’s journey special is that he did not stop there. He transitioned into sports journalism and spent many years using his voice to promote football, covering the national team, domestic competitions and particularly the Masaza Cup. He also went beyond reporting by helping supporters travel and follow the Uganda Cranes,” Mukasa said.
According to Mukasa, the Lifetime Achievement Award is not simply a celebration of Baliluno’s journalism career, but recognition of a lifetime dedicated to Ugandan football.
“When you look at the length and breadth of his contribution, you realise that Yusuf has dedicated a significant part of his life to Ugandan football. This Lifetime Achievement Award is therefore a recognition of a man who has served the game across generations and in different roles. We believe his contribution deserves to be celebrated and preserved in the history of Ugandan sport,” he said.
Baliluno’s recognition adds another chapter to a career that began on the football pitch and continued behind the microphone, with his voice and passion helping document and promote the growth of the sport in Uganda.
The Lifetime Achievement Award therefore celebrates not only his achievements as a player and journalist, but also his enduring commitment to the game he has served for decades.
