Tonny Atukunda was named NEC FC Player of the Season despite featuring in only 11 league matches during the recently concluded campaign.
Atukunda joined NEC FC in February ahead of the second round of the season after switching from SC Villa.
He made his debut on March 3 against UPDF FC at Lugogo, helping NEC secure a 1-0 victory.
For the remainder of the season, he missed only one league game — against BUL FC in Njeru — due to suspension after accumulating yellow cards. The scheduled match against Buhimba United Saints was never played after the Hoima-based side failed to show up.
The holding midfielder completed 90 minutes in most matches, only coming off against Police FC in the 78th minute and against Kitara in the 88th minute, with Siraje Sentamu replacing him on both occasions.
Atukunda impressed with his composure, precise passing, ball-winning ability and control of the tempo in midfield.
“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 during the club’s Awards Dinner.
“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 received the accolade from the club’s vice president, Major Edgar Ankwasa during the dinner on Tuesday.
During the same event, NEC FC bid farewell to midfielder Paul Mucureezi and veteran goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan. Ochan had announced his retirement after the first round of the season, while Mucureezi parted ways with the club.
Hannington Ssebwalunyo won both the Goalkeeper of the Season and Fans’ Player of the Season awards.
Warren Buule was named Defender of the Season, Joseph Sseremba best midfielder of the season while Richard Basangwa won the Forward of the Season accolade.
Emmanuel Kulanga’s strike against SC Villa at Lugogo was voted Goal of the Season.
NEC FC finished fifth in the Uganda Premier League standings with 53 points, collecting 14 wins and 11 draws from 30 matches.
May we return stronger next season — Mugira
Club Patron Lt Gen James Mugira, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the business arm of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), attended the function.
He commended the club leadership for providing the necessary support and resources that enabled the team to compete in the top flight. Mugira also thanked the fans for their unwavering support throughout the season, including travelling long distances to back the team on matchdays.
“My standards are always very high. I always want to be number one. If we do not become number one, then at least let us be number two, and indeed we were very proud of your performance last season,” Mugira said.
“This season may not have met the expectations we set for ourselves. We had promised to walk the streets of Kampala with our trophy, so compared to last season, we declined from second to fifth. Of course, that is not bad, but we need to do better. The results were below our standards as NEC FC.”
The club sacked coach Hussein Mbalangu on November 5 after a slow start to the campaign that left NEC ninth on the table before Badru Kaddu was appointed as his replacement.
“As we gather here to mark the end of the season, we also want to reflect honestly on the journey we have taken. True success lies in bouncing back from difficulties. Don’t give up. As diehards, there is no retreat and no surrender,” Mugira added.
“As we close this season, let us carry forward the urge to improve. May next season bring renewed energy, better football, stronger results and restore pride to everyone associated with the club.
“May we return next season stronger.”
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