Local Football Appreciation Awards 2026: Second edition launched officially, more categories on board

The second edition of the Local Football Appreciation (LFA) awards was officially launched at Chint Centre along Jinja Road in Kampala on Friday, 6th March 2026.

The organizing team promised a bigger and more inclusive celebration of Uganda’s football fraternity.

This year’s awards have drastically grown from 30 to 39 categories to recognize and reward more contributors across the local game.

Vipers Sporting Director Charles Masembe, StarTimes’ Aldrine Nsubuga, CHINT Head of Corporate and Public Affairs John Kimbowa, and Leero Sports Managing Director Raymond Kayungirizi graced the launch, hosted by Nation Media female sports journalist Gystin Angarukiremu.

The awards ceremony will be held in June 2026, commencing with a legends’ dinner as a pre event on June 5th.

This legends’ dinner will gather all the instrumental personalities who have served the beautiful game in different capacities over the years; players, coaches, referees, administrators, groundsmen and media personalities.

Kayungirizi noted that this legends’ dinner is intended to create an interactive platform for all stakeholders in the football circles before the awards proper that will go for Ug.Shs 100,000 per person.

We are organizing the dinner because we want the awards to be sustainable. The football industry has many people who can support such initiatives — retirees, established stars and young people who want to be inspired. Young professionals will have the opportunity to sit with people they have watched on television and learn from them. That kind of interaction is important for the growth of the industry. Sometimes your best is not my best, but once someone is nominated it means they have made a meaningful contribution to the game. We have also added new categories to celebrate different aspects of football so that no stakeholder is left out.

Raymond Kayungirizi, Leero Sports Managing Director

StarTimes’ Vice President and Regional Marketing Director Aldrine Nsubuga is overwhelmed being part of these awards, first as a vivid football fan. For

I always say I am first a KCCA supporter before anything else, and I carry that proudly. As fans, we believe awards like these should exist. But I would also love to see fans recognized because they are often the most underrated people in football. For players and administrators it is work, but for fans it is about heart and devotion. Awards like these should mean a lot for the fans. Even when teams struggle, fans continue to show up and support. Football people appreciate brands that support the game. When someone in a position of influence brings sponsorship into football, it makes a big difference. Football starts with identity. There is nothing wrong with declaring the club you support. It is pride and part of the culture of the game.

Aldrine Nsubuga, StarTimes Vice President and Regional Marketing Director

CHINT Uganda is proud to be associated with the most beautiful game. Behind every starting eleven, there is a strong team behind. We look forward the Local Football Appreciation Awards that are meant to reward key football stakeholders.

George Kimbowa – Head of public affairs at CHINT Uganda

Vipers Sports Club Technical Director Charles Masembe, a former FIFA Referee welcomed the idea of such awards that motivate the people in the football space.

The categories to be rewarded will be in the dockets of players (male and female), coaching and leadership, match officials and technical, media and communication, football community and special categories, specialized football codes (futsal and mini football), platforms and competitions (University football, beach soccer, Masaza cup, schools football).

Sponsors:

A number of sponsors have expressed interest to associate with the Local Football Appreciation awards.

CHINT Uganda, AHF, Uganda Cares, Zyren Dental Spol, GWT IT Technical Solutions, Kanvile Mart, Foreplex Bureau, Endo, Green Valley High School, among others are already on board.

LFA Awards: Honoring legends, celebrating today’s stars, inspiring the future of football.

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