The Bidandi Ssali Award – Honoring Legacy, Power, and Glory

In the grand theatre of Ugandan football, where passion echoes from dusty playgrounds to
packed stadiums, few names carry the weight and reverence of Jaberi Bidandi Ssali. A towering figure, not just in stature but in impact, Bidandi was more than a coach—he was an architect of dreams, a master tactician, and a relentless believer in the beautiful game’s power to transform lives.
From the sidelines of KCCA in the late 1960s to guiding Uganda Cranes to their first and only
AFCON final in 1978, Bidandi’s fingerprints are on some of the nation’s greatest footballing
moments. He didn’t just build teams—he built leaders, legends, and legacies. Players like
Jimmy Kirunda, Phillip Omondi, and Moses Nsereko rose through his guidance, going on to
inspire a generation.
The Bidandi Ssali Award for Best Men’s Team is more than a trophy—it is a salute to
excellence, perseverance, and bold ambition. It honors the club that, like Bidandi himself, stood
tall in the face of adversity, inspired fans, and left an indelible mark on the season.
This year, the competition is fierce, the stories unforgettable. From giants reclaiming their throne to new warriors carving history, meet the phenomenal nominees battling for the crown…

SC Villa – The Resurgent Giants
A club born in 1975—the same decade Bidandi Ssali rose to national prominence—SC Villa has
grown into the most decorated team in Ugandan football history. With 17 league titles and 9 Uganda Cups, Villa’s golden legacy was cemented with continental near-glory in the 1990s, reaching the CAF Cup final (1992) and the CAF Champions League final (1991).
After nearly two decades of heartbreak, SC Villa’s revival in 2024 under Coaches Dusan
Stojonovic and Morley Byekwaso brought tears of joy to the Jogoos faithful. A league triumph
for the first time since 2004—clinched dramatically on the final day—cemented their place as top contenders for this award.

Kitara FC – The Fairytale Writers
From the FUFA Big League to national glory, Kitara FC’s meteoric rise has captured hearts.
Under the astute leadership of Coach Brian Ssenyondo, Kitara lifted the Stanbic Uganda Cup
for the first time in their history, edging NEC FC 1-0 in a tense final.
Representing Uganda at the CAF Confederations Cup, despite falling to Al Hilal Benghazi, was
a monumental milestone for a team only recently promoted. Their journey is nothing short of a modern-day football fairytale.

NEC FC – The Newcomer Phenomenon
Founded in 2017, NEC FC’s story is a blueprint of grassroots football dreams. From humble
beginnings at St. Kizito SSS to rubbing shoulders with giants in the Startimes Uganda Premier League, NEC defied the odds. Under Coach Hussein Mbalangu, they finished a commendable 6th in their debut season with 48 points from 29 matches.
A narrow Uganda Cup final loss to Kitara proved their hunger and potential. Their meteoric rise
in just seven years makes them a serious contender for this prestigious award.

BUL FC – So Close, Yet So Proud
With Coach Abbey Kikomeko at the helm, BUL FC proved themselves serious title contenders.
Finishing just one point behind SC Villa with 56 points, their resilience and hunger kept the title
race alive until the final whistle.
Beyond the league, BUL FC added silverware to their cabinet with a commanding FUFA Super
8 title win, showcasing depth and ambition befitting the Bidandi Ssali legacy.
As the curtain falls on the first edition, one question remains—who among these giants and
rising forces will walk away with the honor that bears Bidandi Ssali’s name?