A lot has happened throughout the 366 days of 2016, both good and bad in the world of sports.
ChimpSport looks at the 10 most successful sports stories of 2016.
- Buddu winning Masaza cup
Buddu is one of the biggest and historical counties of Buganda Kingdom.
However they had failed to win the coveted Masaza cup trophy since re- invention in 2004. They reached the finals in 2015 but lost horribly to Ssingo 4-0.
However, they bounced back this year and defeated Ggomba in the finals to win their maiden title.
- Women’s CECAFA
The great strides to development in the women’s football has been evident over the past two years in Uganda.
CECAFA thought it wise to revive the women’s regional tournament after 30 years in limbo.
Uganda hosted the tournament at the FUFA technical centre in Njeru where Tanzania were crowned champions. Uganda settled for 4th spot.
- Ronald Otile defends Uganda open title.
Youngster Ronald Otile became only the ninth golfer in the history of the Tusker malt lager Uganda open to defend the title since inception in 1932.
The 21 year old successfully defended the title he won in 2015 returning 291 gross over four rounds at the Kitante golf course.
The last person to win back to back titles was Deo Akope in 2002.
7.The rise of Onduparaka
From a little known place on the outskirts of Arua town, Onduparaka football team became a pride for West Nile region and rose eyebrows for sports lovers in the country.
The fairytale story of winning promotion to the Azam Uganda premier league and reaching Uganda cup finals, Onduparaka became a powerful brand and a force to reckon with, including humbling all the giant clubs in Arua.
No wonder Betway Greenlight stadium is called the valley of no return.
But again, it would hold no sense to talk about Onduparaka and miss out on the name Muhammad Shaban.
At just 18, he has shot himself to the top including winning the Fufa MVP award and also earning a call on the national team.
- Pool Cranes’ triumph
Uganda hosting the 2016 All African black ball pool championship itself was a remarkable achievement.
However, the team went ahead to claim both the Men’s and women’s titles. The women collected 10 points to clinch the crown while the men led by 2016 Pool champion Sula Matovu, Fred Namanya, youngster Hazard Lukoma and Fahad Ssewankambo among others garnered 12 points.
- City Oilers winning Zone V
On their third attempt, Uganda’s representatives, City Oilers literally had a walk in the park to the championship.
City Oilers defeated every team they met including humbling Kenya’s Ulinzi 72-49 in the finals and point guard Jimmy Enabu was named the MVP.
They also went ahead to compete at the African club championship and finished ninth on their first appearance.
- Rugby cranes winning Africa cup 7s
Safaricom stadium, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya stood to its feet as Uganda cruised past Namibia in the finals to clinch the 7s Africa cup winning 38-19.
The rugby cranes took the tournament by storm including humbling hosts Kenya.
The triumph earned Uganda a berth at the world sevens series in the Dubai 7s and also played in the Cape Town 7s 3.
- David Emong winning silver at Paralympics
After a poor show at the 2016 Olympics, where Uganda failed to win any silverware, David Emong was a surprise winner in the Paralympics.
He finished second in the T46 1500m clocking 4:00:62 to bring home Uganda’s first ever medal in the Paralympics games.
- Dennis Onyango
Arguably the best goalkeeper on the African continent at the moment, Dennis Masinde Onyango has had a fruitful 2016 both for club and country.
At Mamelodi Sundowns where he plies his trade, Onyango played an integral part to help the club win the ABSA premier league in South Africa and was voted the best goalkeeper in the league.
He went ahead to put up a man of the match appearance as Sundowns won the Telkom cup including saving two penalties in the finals against.
Above all, Onyango won the CAF champions league with Mamelodi Sundowns to become the first Ugandan to win the medal.
He was also a key factor as Uganda qualified for African cup of Nations after 38 years of waiting.
- Uganda cranes qualifying for AFCON
For many Ugandans, 4th September 2016 will always be a memorable year.
After several heartbreaks and near misses, Uganda Cranes finally qualified for the African cup of Nations after 38 years.
Farouk Miya 34th minute goal against Comoros in the fully packed Mandela national stadium was enough to bring joy to Ugandans.