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NEC FC honors top performers at season-end dinner, Atukunda wins MVP gong

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Despite joining midway the season, Tonny Atukunda was named NEC’s player of the season and awarded a dinner organised by the club at Silver Springs, Bugolobi.

The midfielder joined the Bugolobi based side from record league champions SC Villa in the secondary window and featured in all but one match.

Atukunda, Sseremba, Basangwa, Kulanga and Ssebwalunyo pose with their accolades Credit: John Batanudde

His arrival coincided with the club’s return to form in which they went over 18 matches unbeaten until they fell to Villa and Calvary in the last two outings.

“I feel excited, especially because I had not spent a lot of time here and I had started my season slowly before joining NEC FC,” Atukunda said after receiving the award from club Vice President, Maj. Edgar Ankwasa.

“It has been through hard work and patience. I have always strived to remain consistent and stay on the field of play. There is a lot of teamwork here,” he elaborated.

Cake moment Credit: John Batanudde

Other award winners included Hannington Ssebwalunyo who bagged both the Fans’ players of the season and golden glove, Richard Basangwa, another mid-season arrival took him the best forward gong while Joseph Sseremba was awarded with the midfielder of the season for the club.

Emmanuel Kulanga’s volley over SC Villa in the 4-1 defeat won him the goal of the season accolade and Warren Bbule was named best defender.

Following an abysmal start to the season that saw Hussein Mbalangu lose his job to Badru Kaddu, NEC arrested the bad form to finish 5th on the log with 53 points.

Benjamin Ochan and Paul Mucureezi were celebrated Credit: John Batanudde

On the same dinner, NEC FC bid farewell to midfielder Paul Mucureezi and goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan. Ochan had announced his retirement after the first round of the season, while Mucureezi parted ways with the club under unknown circumstances and both were appreciated.

NEC SUMMARY OF 2025/26 SEASON AWARDS

  • Most Valuable Player: Tonny Atukunda
  • Fan’s Player of the season: Hannington Ssebwalunyo
  • Golden Glove: Hannington Ssebwalunyo
  • Best Defender: Warren Bbule
  • Midfielder of the season: Joseph Sseremba
  • Best Forward: Richard Basangwa
  • Goal of the season: Emmanuel Kulanga

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Vipers braced for most difficult game against Gor Mahia – Lavagne

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Monday July 27, 2026

  • Pele stadium, Kigali 4pm [EAT]

Denis Lavagne still maintains that Vipers’ main target is the start of the season in Uganda when his side face Kitara in the Fufa Super Cup on August 23 but remain braced for Gor Mahia clash.

The Cecafa Kagame Cup Group A clash at Pele stadium, Kigali pits two sides who won their opening two matches and a win could secure them a place in the semi-final.

Vipers saw off Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine 3-0 while Gor Mahia humiliated hosts APR 5-0 in their first game.

Lavagne expects a difficult game against the Kenyan giants who will be slight favourites in the tie.

“We are not yet 100-percent but we are here to continue with progress,” started Lavagne.

“We have a difficult game tomorrow (Monday) because Gor Mahia is a good team and won the first game so it is good test for our players.

“But I think the players want to show progress and I expect a better game than the first because despite victory, we didn’t play so well especially after the first half yet I want consistent.

“The target for me remains the August 23 Fufa Super Cup game in Uganda but we hope to win tomorrow and progress to the semi-final.”

K’Ogalo were ruthless against APR and Lavagne says this is the most difficult game in the group.

“We have to work hard and improve many things. Gor Mahia is the most difficult in the group but the players are motivated and we shall do all it takes to win.”

With APR likely to overcome Garde Republicaine in the later game, both Gor Mahia and Vipers need victory to enlighten chances of reaching the last four.

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Uganda Cranes midfielder Al-Hassan moves to Turkey

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Uganda Cranes midfielder Baba Al-Hassan has joined Turkish entity Madrin 1969 Spor Club on a two-year deal.

Al Hassan, 26, joins the Turkish side from FCSB in Romania where he spent two seasons, scoring twice in 72 appearances.

We wish Baba Alhassan, who we believe will make significant contributions to our goals with his experience, character and quality, a career full of success under our red-navy blue jersey and hope that he will be beneficial to our community

Mardin 1969 Spor statement

Born in Accra, Ghana; the holding midfielder commenced his career at African Talent Football Academy before joining Real Valladolid in 2019.

He played for Real Valladolid B between 2018 and 2019 before crossed to Romania’s Hermannstadt as a free agent in 2020.

Al Hassan is capped five times for Uganda Cranes. He was part of the 25-man final squad that represented Uganda at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

Baba Al-Hassan being unveiled at Mardin 1969 Spor

For starters, Mardin Sports Club was founded in 1969 after a merger of Kalespor, Timurspor, Mezopotamyaspor and Genclikspor teams.

The Red and Navy blue colour themed entity hosts their home games at the 5700 seater 21 Kasim Stadium in Mardin.

They won the league title in the 2003/04 season.

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Uganda Cranes’ utility player Semakula joins Egyptian giants Al Ittihad Alexandria

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 Uganda Cranes international Kenneth Semakula has completed a move to Al Ittihad Alexandria.

The defender-cum-midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Adalah earlier this year.

Kenneth Semakula celebrates a Uganda Cranes victory Credit: CAF

The former Sports Club Villa player now begins a new chapter in Egypt.

He comes along to Al Ittihad Alexandria with valuable experience from spells in Uganda, Tunisia, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

Kenneth Semakula (middle) with the club officials

After a youthful career at Vipers Sports Club, Semakula has since featured for Busoga United, BUL and Sports Club in Uganda.

He then crossed to Club Africain in Tunisia and played for Al-Arabi (Kuwait) and lately Al-Adalah in Saudi Arabia.

Semakula is capped 23 times for the Uganda Cranes since 2021.

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