Mukasa, Najjumba not about to rest on laurels

Najjumba (L) and Mukasa took home the top accolades of the 2015 season.

Photo by EDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

Cricket. Interestingly, both Mukasa and Najjumba were also voted as respective 2015 Male and Female Cricketers of the Year by Uganda Sports Press Association (Uspa).

KAMPALA. When many consistently nodded their heads accompanied with several hand claps, it certainly felt right that all were worthy winners at the annual Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) Awards Gala on Thursday night.
This serene mood at Copper Chimney Restaurants hardly fluctuated as nine awards were dished out at the Castle Lite/Pepsi-sponsored event.


The evening climaxed with pundits’ favourite Roger Mukasa being announced as the 2015 UCA Male Cricketer of the Year in front of the elegantly dressed 200 guests. “I am extremely happy,” the smiling batsman told Sunday Monitor shortly after being crowned by chief guest Commissioner of Sports Omara Apitta.
“First, I dedicate this award to my fiancee Hajara Nabukenya,” he said while pointing at her. “Without her support, may be things would have been different. I also thank my friends, teammates and everybody who helped me got here.”

All-round performance
He beat three other nominees Hamu Kayondo, Irfan Afridi and Ivan Thawithemwira, having notched 797 runs in 13 innings, snared 12 wickets and clung onto 14 catches as his side Tornado Bee won their third successive National Men’s Division One 50-Over League title.
Mukasa, also voted 2014 MVP, was also fourth best batsman with 85 runs as the Uganda’s senior national team finished fifth at last year’s ICC World Cricket League Div. II tournament in Namibia.

Three-horse race
Meanwhile, Franklyn Najjumba pipped KICC pair Gertrude Chandiru and Consy Aweko for the Female MVP gong.
“Though I won this in 2010, I am really grateful to God for another award,” Najjumba said after receiving a standing ovation from her Pioneer teammates, the 2015 Women’s 40-Over League champions.
“It was not easy. I was consistent throughout 2015 with bat (an average of 42 runs per innings) and ball which I think gave me the advantage. Hopefully, 2016 turns out even better,” she concluded.

2015 UCA AWARDS
Male MVP:
Roger Mukasa
Female MVP: Franklyn Najjumba
Young Male MVP: Kenneth Waiswa
Young Female MVP: Ritah Musamali
Coach of the Year: Emmanuel Isaneez
Umpire of the Year: John Trust Mayeku
Best Volunteer: Ivan Thawithemwira
Best Groundsman: Julius Bukulu
Best Team Manager: Rita Tinka