Ugandan sports stars Samuel Cherop Simba and Anna Gloria Muzito were the biggest winners at the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) 2025 Awards, held during the UOC/Commonwealth Games Uganda Annual General Meeting at Mestil Hotel & Residences on Sunday.
Simba, a standout runner representing Uganda Athletics Federation, was named Male Athlete of the Year, recognising his outstanding performances during the 2025 season and his contribution to Uganda’s success in international competitions.
In the women’s category, swimmer Muzito from Uganda Aquatics was crowned Female Athlete of the Year after winning two gold medals and one silver medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, one of the major multi-sport events on the global calendar.
Teams recognised for international success
Uganda’s national youth football team, the Uganda Cubs, won the Male Team of the Year award after their historic qualification for and participation in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, marking Uganda’s first appearance at the tournament.
The Uganda She Cranes, the country’s national netball team, were named Female Team of the Year after winning the Celtic Netball Cup, continuing their impressive run on the international netball stage.
Lifetime honour and federation recognition
Veteran sports administrator Sheila R Agonzibwa received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her longstanding contribution to handball development in Uganda.
Meanwhile, Uganda Rugby Union was voted Federation of the Year for successfully hosting the Rugby World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers, an event that brought top continental rugby competition to the country.
Celebrating achievements and future ambitions
The awards ceremony took place during the UOC/CGU Annual General Assembly, where officials celebrated Uganda’s achievements in 2025, including winning 24 medals in major international competitions, securing scholarships for athletes, and receiving recognition from the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) for sustainability and gender equality initiatives.
Looking ahead, the Olympic body said Uganda is preparing for several major events, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, and the upcoming National Olympic Games.
New partnerships announced
During the assembly, the Uganda Olympic Committee also unveiled new partnerships aimed at supporting athlete welfare and sports development. The new partners include nutrition brand Tooke, digital firm Hive Digital Ltd, and lifestyle technology company BlackLyf.
UOC officials said the partnerships will help strengthen athlete health programs, career development opportunities and operational efficiency as Uganda continues to expand its presence on the international sporting stage.
2025 UOC Award Winners (Key Categories)
Male Athlete of the Year: Samuel Cherop Simba – Athletics
Female Athlete of the Year: Anna Gloria Muzito – Aquatics
Male Team of the Year: Uganda Cubs (U17 Football)
Female Team of the Year: She Cranes (Netball)
Federation of the Year: Uganda Rugby Union
Lifetime Achievement Award: Sheila R Agonzibwa.