Uganda’s kickboxing icon Moses Golola has urged the government to empower and support companies investing in the country’s sports development.
Golola made the call while receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fortebet Real Stars Sports Monthly Awards held on May 13, 2025, at Lazio Restaurant in Kampala.
“This recognition could be a stepping stone toward the rapid development of Uganda’s sports industry,” Golola remarked. “It’s unfortunate that those who invest heavily in sports receive little or no recognition from the government. I sometimes wonder if the authorities even understand the dynamics of the sports sector. The government should consider supporting companies like Fortebet and Jude Colours Solutions, perhaps by offering tax waivers.”
Golola emphasized that recognizing sports achievers is not only about rewarding individuals but also about inspiring the next generation.
“Honoring sports personalities motivates the youth to pursue their dreams. It’s a form of empowerment,” he added.
He further criticized the government for underfunding sports compared to other sectors.
“We represent the nation on international platforms, but we are often overlooked. It’s disheartening to see the government giving hundreds of millions to politicians for passing bills, while allocating so little to sports development,” Golola lamented.
The awarding ceremony featured four major accolades, with Golola receiving the highest honor. Other winners included Lydia Namabiro, Eunice Awori, and James Bogere.
Namabiro was celebrated for her exceptional performance with the Uganda Lady Cranes, helping the team secure promotion to Africa Rugby Tier One with six tries. This was her third win at the Fortebet Real Stars Awards, edging out teammate Peace Lekuru and William Nkore.
Kabaddi star Eunice Awori earned recognition for leading the national team to qualify for the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup during the Africa Women’s Cup. She beat fellow players Olivia Nalubega and Nahia Nalwoga to the award.
In football, 17-year-old James Bogere was crowned the best after finishing second top scorer in the Africa U-17 World Cup qualifiers held in Morocco. Bogere netted three goals and assisted once, playing a key role in Uganda’s historic qualification for their first-ever football World Cup. He beat out April’s Uganda Premier League top scorers Umar Kasumba (Police FC) and Samuel Ssekamatte (UPDF FC), who each had four goals.
