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Shah, Musamali win big at glittering UCA awards night

The award winners. PHOTO/DON MUGABI 

What you need to know:

Three-Time Champion. Riazat Ali Shah’s third Cricketer of the Year award highlights his stellar year, from a match-winning World Cup performance to leading Uganda’s unbeaten Challenge League run. With his sights set on the 2026 T20 World Cup and ODI status, Shah remains the heartbeat of Uganda’s cricketing ascent.

The Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) 2024 Awards Night lived up to its billing as a spectacular celebration of cricket excellence, held on November 30 at Copper Chimney, Lugogo.

Presided over by Uganda Olympic Committee president Don Rukare and attended by cricket icons like Sam Walusimbi, the event highlighted the achievements of the year’s finest players. 

Shah shines

Stealing the spotlight was Riazat Ali Shah, who clinched his third Cricketer of the Year award. Shah’s heroics, including an unforgettable century during the ICC Challenge League B and the winning knock at Uganda’s maiden T20 World Cup win against Papua New Guinea (PNG), earned him widespread acclaim. 

UCA chairman Michael Nuwagaba (L) awards Deziranta Namigadde (Mama Lutaaya). PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE  


“Winning our first World Cup game was an emotional moment for the entire team. Being named Player of the Match in that victory was special,” Shah said. “This is my third Cricketer of the Year award, and it motivates me to keep working hard. Our goal as a team is to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup and progress to play ODI cricket.” 

Shah also paid tribute to his teammates and Uganda’s cricket fraternity, attributing the collective effort to the country’s growing success on the international stage. 

Musamali rises 

Rita Musamali was another headline act, taking home the Female International Player of the Year Award. Her contribution to the Victoria Pearls’ Kwibuka tournament triumph and her 150 T20I runs in 2024 were pivotal achievements. 

“I thank all my fans. Their extra push got me the nod, and it is definitely going to inspire me to do better next year. I want to work more on my game to keep improving. This award has motivated me to set bigger goals,” said Musamali – a batting all-rounder. 

The awards night celebrated a broad range of talent, including players, coaches, volunteers, and journalists.  Some of the other key winners included; Domestic Cricketer of the Year - Male: Suleiman Shariff (Wanderers CC), who tallied 375 runs in the T20 League. 

The MCs - former Cricket Cranes skipper Davis Karashani (L) and Nation Media Group's Gystin Angarukiremu. PHOTO/DON MUGABI 

Building Momentum   

The Male Club of the Year Award was scooped by Wanderers, for their T20 League title and 50-Over League runners-up finish whereas the Female Club of the Year went to Soroti City, reigning T20 League champions.  The UCA also recognized emerging talent, with Gerald Olipa Opunu, a Busoga College Mwiri student, and Irene Mutoni of St. John’s SSS Mukono named respective Male and Female Rising Stars of the Year. 

The evening marked a moment of reflection and ambition. Shah, Musamali, and other winners emphasised the need to build on this year’s successes to achieve even greater heights next season.  “We’ve shown that Ugandan cricket is on the rise. Now, we must keep working hard to ensure we remain competitive on the global stage,” concluded Shah.

UCA AWARDS 2024

The Category Winners

Cricketer of the Year     

Riazat Ali Shah  

International Player of the Year - Male

Alpesh Ramjani

International Player of the Year - Female

Rita Musamali   

Domestic Cricketer of the Year - Male

Suleiman Shariff (Wanderers CC)

Domestic Cricketer of the Year - Female             

Teddy Oyella (Tornado Bee)      

Male Club of the Year

Wanderers        

Female Club of the Year

Soroti City          

Male Umpire of the Year

Eric Wandera    

Female Umpire of the Year

Sharon Athoula

Male Rising Star of the Year

Gerald Olipa Opunu (Busoga College Mwiri)       

Female Rising Star of the Year

Irene Mutoni (St John's SSS Mukono)

Coach of the Year           

Jackson Ogwang (PUSH Academy/Cricket Cranes)

Male Volunteer of the Year

Arnold Tembo (Keere Cricket Academy)              

Female Volunteer of the Year

Lwiza Nabulwala (Ndejje SSS)   

Groundsman of the Year

John Wabwire   (Lugogo Oval)

Male Journalist of the Year

Kakeeto Gonzaga (The Site)       

Female Journalist of the Year

Nina Kakwanzi (NBS Sports)

Online Journalist of the Year    

Sajjabi Ivan (Touchline Sports)  

Cricket Fan of the Year

Juuko Ackram

Chairman’s Award - Lifetime Service Award

Deziranta Namigadde (Mama Lutaaya)