Miima Magic: Shadia Nassanga Clinches Fortebet Real Stars Netball Award for December
By Kayiira Jackson
KCCA Netball Club and She Cranes sharp shooter Shadia Nassanga, fondly known as Miima, has been named the Fortebet Real Stars Netball Player of the Month for December, crowning a remarkable month defined by silverware, individual brilliance, and clutch performances.
Nassanga’s recognition follows an outstanding December in which she played a central role in She Cranes’ triumph at the Celtic Cup in Scotland, where Uganda lifted the trophy and Nassanga was deservedly named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
Her fine form extended to the 2025 Africa Netball Championship in Lilongwe, Malawi, where Nassanga emerged as Uganda’s best shooter, helping the She Cranes secure a silver medal after a hard-fought final loss to South Africa.
At club level, the prolific shooter capped off the month in style by inspiring KCCA Netball Club to their maiden National Netball Super League title. Nassanga finished as KCCA’s top scorer in the tense final, as the city side edged defending champions Prisons Netball Club 44–41 in a thrilling showdown played on December 29 at Nakivubo Stadium.
Her consistent excellence made her a standout choice for the Fortebet Real Stars award, seeing off strong competition from her KCCA teammate Shaffie Nalwanja and NIC goal attacker and She Cranes captain Racheal Nanyonga.
Dressed in a stylish black-and-white outfit, Nassanga received her accolade at an awards ceremony held on Thursday afternoon at Molecule Restaurant, Kololo.
“It wasn’t in my mind that I was voted the best player for December,” Nassanga said humbly after receiving the award. “I glorify Allah for this achievement. This is not an individual effort — it has been a collective contribution from my teammates and the coaches who guided us to reach this level.”
The December honor marks Nassanga’s first Fortebet Real Stars award since August 2023, underlining her return to the summit of Ugandan netball.
In other categories at the awards, Sana Omprakash claimed the chess award, beating Juliet Asaba and Apollo Muhumuza, while John Oduke received the Life Achievers Award in recognition of his immense contribution to tennis as a coach and former player who brought Uganda numerous regional and international accolades.
With club glory, continental silver, and international triumph all in one month, December truly belonged to Miima — and the Fortebet Real Stars accolade only confirmed it.