Pepsi UFL Awards 2026: Lutwama Scoops MVP Award in Dominant Night for Muteesa I Royal University

By Kayiira Jackson 

Muteesa I Royal University captain Lutwama Ali capped off a remarkable 2025/26 Pepsi University Football League campaign by emerging as the biggest winner at the league’s annual awards dinner held on Monday at Kati Kati Restaurant in Lugogo.

Fresh from leading Muteesa I Royal University to the league title at Nakivubo Stadium on May 2, Lutwama once again took centre stage as he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season. The influential midfielder beat competition from YMCA goalkeeper Ssebabulya Kevin and Uganda Martyrs University striker Obedgiu Ronald to claim the prestigious accolade.

Lutwama’s outstanding season saw him contribute directly to eight goals in 10 matches, scoring four times and providing four assists. In addition to the overall MVP award, he collected the Best Midfielder, Most Assists, and Muteesa I Royal University Team MVP awards, making him the most decorated individual of the evening.

Muteesa’s success extended to the technical bench, with head coach Ssengabi George Williams being voted Coach of the Season after guiding the university to league glory. He edged out Okwakol Elly of Kumi University and YMCA’s Ejuku Francesco for the honour.

Kumi University also had reason to celebrate as sports tutor Onyait Stephen was named Best Sports Tutor. His role in steering the institution to its maiden appearance in the knockout stages proved decisive in earning him the accolade ahead of Kampala University’s Martha Soigi and St Lawrence University’s Sseguya Peter.

Among the emerging stars, Aheebwa David of Mountains of the Moon University was recognised as the Best New Player after an impressive debut campaign in which he scored four goals and registered one assist in just five appearances.

The awards ceremony was graced by Sammy Odong, who attended as the guest of honour, alongside George Wagogo and members of the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) executive committee.

Sports tutors from various universities, players, nominees and other dignitaries also attended the event, which officially brought the curtain down on another competitive season of university football in Uganda.

With four awards on the night, Lutwama Ali emerged as the standout performer of the 2025/26 campaign, underlining his importance to Muteesa I Royal University’s title-winning season and cementing his place among the league’s finest talents.

Full List of Award Winners

Individual Awards

Best Sports Tutor: Onyait Stephen (Kumi University)

Best Coach: Ssengabi George Williams (Muteesa I Royal University)

Best New Player: Aheebwa David (Mountains of the Moon University)

Best Goalkeeper: Ssebabulya Kevin (YMCA)

Best Defender: Agaku Vincent (St Lawrence University)

Best Midfielder: Lutwama Ali (Muteesa I Royal University)

Most Assists: Lutwama Ali (4) – Muteesa I Royal University

Top Scorer: Obedgiu Ronald (5 goals) – Uganda Martyrs University

Best Goal of the Season: Kateete Brian (MUBS vs St Lawrence University)

Most Valuable Player: Lutwama Ali (Muteesa I Royal University)

Team MVP Awards

Africa Renewal University — Kajubi Jamal

Bishop Stuart University — Atamba Amans

Busitema University — Owino Shanon

Gulu University — Ssenoga Derrick

IUEA — Komakech Henry

ISBAT University — Allan Onekgiu

IUIU — Shinkanga Emmanuel

Kabale University — Owanyu Michael Aturinda

Kampala University — Okema David

King Ceasor University — Niyonshuti Bruno

KIU — Ndibirwano Gerald

Kyambogo University — Odongo Ivan

Kumi University — Nyongesa Christopher

Lira University — Okeng Emmanuel

Makerere University — Ekong Emmanuel

MUBS — Kateete Brian

Mbarara University of Science and Technology — Atuhaire Ronald

Mountains of the Moon University — Aheebwa David

Muteesa I Royal University — Lutwama Ali

Ndejje University — Olupot Joel

Nkumba University — Lubega Ismael

St Lawrence University — Agaku Vincent

University of Kisubi — Ssenfuma Ronald

Uganda Christian University — Abiti Harry

Uganda Martyrs University — Obedgiu Ronald

YMCA — Ssebabulya Kevin

Best XI of the Season

Goalkeeper

Ssebabulya Kevin (YMCA)

Defenders

Bukenya Twaha (Muteesa I Royal University)

Agaku Vincent (St Lawrence University)

Asiku Jude (YMCA)

Anyaka Ambrose (Ndejje University)

Midfielders

Lutwama Ali (Muteesa I Royal University)

Okema David (Kampala University)

Nsubuga Gideon (Kampala University)

Forwards

Obedgiu Ronald (Uganda Martyrs University)

Aheebwa David (Mountains of the Moon University)

Olupot Joel (Ndejje University).