The Mike Arereng Award: The Voice That Never Dies

When the stadium lights dim and the echoes of cheering fans fade into the night, it’s the voice of the game that lingers in our hearts. And in Uganda, no voice carried the soul of football like Michael Arereng, aka Mic Mike—the lyrical, high-octane Swahili commentator whose golden words defined the 1980s and 90s on Radio Uganda and CBS FM.

He wasn’t just calling games—he was composing symphonies. His legendary call during the 1989 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, when Uganda outlasted Malawi in a penalty thriller, remains tattooed in the memory of a generation: “Sadiq Wassa anawunyaka… anapiga passi ndefu kwa George Nsimbe… Nsimbe anacheza one-two na Stephen Bogere… Bogere anacheza passi kwa Magidu Musisi!” Goosebumps.

Every time. Arereng gave players nicknames that stuck for life—he called Sula Kato the “Frenchcut” and “Corner Specialist”—and painted matches with such emotion that even listeners who didn’t speak Swahili understood the passion. His love for SC Villa was undying, and his CAF Club Championship coverage, including the unforgettable 1991 final against Club Africain and the bruising 3-0 loss to Nigeria’s Shooting Stars, showed just how deeply he lived and breathed the game.

Today, the Mike Arereng Award stands as a living tribute to this giant. And the race for the 2025 crown is electric. These are not just commentators—they are modern-day griots, keepers of the flame, the voices you feel even when you can’t see the pitch.

Jermaine Egesa
He’s the smooth operator with a voice that dances with the rhythm of the game. From Magic 100 FM to NBS Sport, Egesa’s rise has been meteoric. Honored in 2015 by the late Dr. Andrew Patrick Luwandaga, Egesa was East Africa’s lone ranger invited by CAF to the CHAN 2022 in Algeria—and he did not disappoint. His AFCON 2023 coverage was nothing short of masterful.
Two straight seasons as lead UPL commentator on Sanyuka Prime—Egesa’s mic burns with precision.

Norva Kibuuka
Consistency is his middle name. The heartbeat of FUFA FM, Norva’s voice has echoed through every corner of Ugandan football—from the thumping clashes of the Premier League to the fierce rivalries of the FUFA Drum, and the empowering stories of women’s football. Norva’s gift? He brings the game to life for everyone, from the dusty village pitch to the national stage.

Peter Otai
When you hear Peter Otai, it’s like reading poetry in motion. Fluent, eloquent, and cinematic—his commentary elevates football to high art. Whether calling the AFCON U17 in Tanzania, CECAFA tournaments across East Africa, or the unforgettable Ugandan Legends vs Brazil match, Otai commands the Queen’s Language with royalty. A craftsman behind the mic.

Yusuf Baliruno
The emotional soul of this lineup. A former footballer with a commentator’s fire, Baliruno’s two-decade legacy at CBS FM made him a household name. But in 2020, fans were shaken when he appeared online in tears, revealing he had been dismissed. The pain was real. But so was his resilience. Today, at Radio 4, Yusuf’s voice is stronger than ever—raw, powerful, and beloved.

The Mike Arereng Award is more than a trophy. It’s a torch passed from one generation to the next. From the crackling radios of the 80s to today’s digital broadcasts, this award honors those who live the game with every breath, every syllable, every roar of the crowd. These four warriors of the mic now stand at the crossroads of greatness. Only one will join the pantheon. But all are worthy. Who will carry the voice of the nation into the next era?