Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango in a space of three years will compete for the Nile Special Uganda Sports Press Association Sports Personality of the year Award, he won it in 2016.
Onyango will vie for the award with 2018 Commonwealth double gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei, netball player Lillian Ajio and rugby player Phillip Wokorach named.
The 2016 Uspa Sports Personality of the year is the only African-based player who was recently named in Africa’s Best XI at the Caf Awards having helped the Cranes qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for second time in row without conceding a goal.
The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper Onyango is up against long-distance runner Cheptegei who matched Moses Kipsiro’s 2010 triumph by winning the 5000m and 10000m gold at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia last year.
Phillip Wokorach is another nominee on the four-man list this is the third time in a row for Kabras Sugar player to be nominated. He won the Kenya 7s Championship, was top points’ scorer at the Kabeberi 7s and MVP at Christie 7s.
She Cranes, assistant captain Ajio is the last pick having helped Prisons to the national league title and the East Africa Netball Championship. She was unshakable too as Uganda took sixth place at Commonwealth Games before winning the Africa title to qualify for the 2019 World Cup.
Onyango and Crested Cranes goalkeeper Ruth Aturo were named the Nile Special best male and female footballers of the year respectively. Aturo was named the best goalkeeper at the 2018 CECAFA and COSAFA championships.
Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) was nominated among the three best run sports federations alongside Uganda Woodball Federation (UWbF) and Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF).
The Uganda Cranes for qualifying for the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations finals are nominated for the team of the year award alongside Pirates Rugby Club and the national netball team the She Cranes.
The Awards gala is set for March at Imperial Royale Hotel, according to new USPA president Patrick Kanyomozi.
