Countdown: 30-26 top athletes

Ranking system explained
Common denominators were aggregated from each journalist’s list. The more common denominators translated into a higher ranking for the athlete in question. If athletes were level on points in the scoring, a five-strong team would be tasked to vote to provide a tiebreaker.

Panel
Mark Namanya (Daily Monitor Sports Editor), Robert Madoi (NTV Sports Editor), Fred Musisi Kyingi (Ennyanda Editor), Caesar Abangirah (Daily Monitor Deputy Sports Editor), Innocent Ndawula (Score Editor), Raul Kanyike (Ennyanda Deputy Editor/Daily Monitor Contributor) Andrew Mwanguhya (Daily Monitor Sports reporter), Patrick Kanyomozi (KFM Sports Editor), Joel Khamadi (NTV Sport Anchor), Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo (Daily Monitor sports reporter, panelist Kfm and Ntv sport), Makhtum Muziransa (Daily Monitor Sports reporter), Allan Darren Kyeyune (Daily Monitor Sports reporter), Deus Bugembe (Daily Monitor Sports reporter), Derrick Ntege (NTV Sport reporter), Sam Mpoza (NTV Sport reporter), Elvis Ssenono (Daily Monitor Sports reporter), Abdulnasser Tajudeen (Daily Monitor Sports reporter), Aminah Babirye (Daily Monitor sports photojournalist), Eddie Chicco (Daily Monitor sports photojournalist), Ismail Kezaala (Daily Monitor sports photojournalist), Dennis Bbosa (Daily Monitor Sports reporter)

30. Habiba Namala
First impressions are always lasting. Namala’s story is a fairytale one. On her debut outing for the Lady Volleyball Cranes this year, Namala made a fist of it grabbing every opportunity with both hands. Coming off the bench, Namala was very instrumental in the Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers in Nairobi - Kenya proving that she belonged to the middle rather than sidelines. With Uganda two sets down, Namala brought life to the game with her left hand spikes leaving the Rwandans mesmerized as Uganda rallied to win 3-2 enroute to a cherished bronze. For the Nkumba University Ladies Volleyball Club, the sensationally gifted Namala has been a force to reckon with especially her all-round capability. Nkumba’s 3-1 triumph in the Aziz Damani Serie A National Volleyball Women’s League final over Vision Volleyball Camp (VVC) had Namala’s sculpture work carved all over it - as was Nkumba’s second place finish in the coveted National Clubs Championship, AUUS Games Gold and Kabaka’s Cup amongst other hauls.And having just finished her diploma in Business Adminstration, Namala is destined to make more hay as she pursues a degree on bursary because at 22 age is still on her side. Innocent Ndawula

29. MURUSHID JUUKO
The Simba central defender is the calming factor in Uganda’s defence. The Cranes conceded three goals in as many matches at the Nations Cup finals in Gabon. It could have been worse but for the tenacity of this fast-improving defender. Juuko, whose game reading and obstinacy picks him out of the pack, partly explains Uganda’s defence in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers where The Cranes conceded just twice in six matches. That Juuko is still at Simba is a puzzle in itself. Andrew Mwanguhya

28. SADIQ BAHATI
Bahati bagged Uganda’s solitary gold at the 29th Universiade on a humid night during the men’s 10000m in Taipei. This feat saw the Ndejje student set a personal best of 29.08.68. Bahati did this by beating Romanian Nicolae Alexandru Soare, a silver medalist in the men’s 10000m at the 28th edition of the Universiade in Gwangju, Korea. Bahati also set a personal best of 14.10.38 in the 5000m. Derrick Ntege

27. FRED WANZALA
Does size matter? Maybe yes!
For the ardent sportsmen it is all but a fallacy that gives just a mere psychological edge. Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA) henchman Fred Wanzala offers a different dimension. Nicknamed Kafupi because of his diminutive stature, the Jinja-bred pro is a work of consistency. For the last two years, he has bossed the golf leaderboards and is not about to relent. This year he won six of the 12 pro calendar tournaments including the JBG Open and Pepsi Independence Cup inside one weekend. At the grand stage during the 11th Tusker Malt Uganda Professionals Open, the resident pro of Lake Victoria Serena Golf Club in Kigo never buckled. He stood tallest with four meticulous rounds that saw him stay in the top five throughout. The golf fraternity have lately given him a new moniker - businessman because he barely misses a money cut. But put the bank balance issues aside - very fast. What will be more pleasing to Wanzala is the fact that he finished atop the UPGA Order of Merit Leaderboard with 42 points - six more than second - placed challenger Phillip Kasozi. Innocent Ndawula

26. Farouq Miya
Hardly the sparkling 2016, but the Standard Liege attacking midfielder is difficult to ignore in 2017. Most of his struggles have come during the year, mainly due to limited playing time at his club. But Miya, undoubtedly 2016’s golden boy after scoring the all-important goal against Comoros that confirmed Uganda’s end of four decades of Nations Cup absenteeism, still managed to make his name known internationally. Miya scored Uganda’s only goal at the Nations Cup finals in Gabon as the Cranes drew 1-1 with Mali. Previously, Uganda’s last goal at the finals had come 39 years ago by the larger-than-life Phillip Omondi in the 2-1 semifinal win over Nigeria. Miya’s pile driver was also voted by fans as CNN Goal of the Tournament. Andrew Mwanguhya