The fate of the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League (UPL) Awards hangs in the balance, with uncertainty casting a shadow over the annual celebration of the league’s finest talents. According to UPL manager Paul Kabaikaramu, there’s a “50/50” chance the awards will take place this season, as the league grapples with the absence of a key sponsor.
Sponsorship Setback Threatens Tradition
For the past three seasons, the UPL Awards have been a highlight of Ugandan football, backed by brewing giant Pilsner. However, with Pilsner’s contract expiring ahead of the 2024/25 season, the financial muscle needed to host the event—estimated at around UGX 100 million—is currently missing. Kabaikaramu, speaking exclusively to NBS Sport, highlighted the challenge: “The Awards were facilitated by Pilsner, and this year, their contract expired. Awards are not cheap.”
The last time the UPL Awards were canceled was during the 2020/21 season, a campaign disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, Express FC were crowned champions after the league was cut short with four rounds remaining. With no awards ceremony held, the season’s standout performers went unrecognized—a scenario the league is keen to avoid repeating.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the sponsorship hurdle, Kabaikaramu emphasized that efforts are underway to ensure the awards go ahead. “There has been an effort internally to see that we have the awards,” he noted. However, he stopped short of confirming whether the event will take place, adding, “By the end of this week, I’ll be in position to answer. Right now, I can’t give a conclusive answer.” This cautious optimism offers a ray of hope for fans and players alike, who eagerly await news on whether the league’s stars will be celebrated.
Past Winners and Potential Contenders
The UPL Awards have consistently showcased the league’s top talent. Last season, SC Villa’s dynamic attacker Jonah Patrick Kakande claimed the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, following in the footsteps of Vipers SC’s Milton Karisa (2022/23) and Cesar Manzoki (2021/22). Kakande’s standout performances last campaign cemented his place as one of Uganda’s brightest footballing talents.
As the 2024/25 season concludes, several players have emerged as frontrunners for the MVP award, should the ceremony proceed. Vipers SC’s playmaker and assistant captain Allan Okello has been a standout, dazzling with his creativity and leadership on the pitch. Other notable contenders include NEC FC’s Enock Ssebagala, Vipers’ Karim Watambala, and URA FC’s Ivan Ahimbisibwe, all of whom have made strong cases for the top honor with their performances this season.
The uncertainty surrounding the 2024/25 UPL Awards underscores the financial challenges facing Ugandan football, where sponsorship deals can make or break marquee events. As the week progresses, all eyes will be on Kabaikaramu and the UPL management for a definitive update on whether the awards will go ahead.
For now, fans and players can only hope that the league finds a way to celebrate its stars, continuing a tradition that not only honors individual brilliance but also elevates the profile of Ugandan football. Will Allan Okello or another rising star claim the MVP crown, or will the season end without the glitz and glamour of the awards? We’ll know more by the end of the week.