MTN Uganda has today announced a two-year UGX 600M sponsorship package for StarTimes Uganda Premier League matchday, monthly and season awards. Uganda’s leading telecom company has previously only been sponsoring the broadcast of the league via our Sanyuka Television.
The two-year commitment will see MTN Uganda spend UGX 300M per year, with part of the money shared by clubs as prize money at the end of the StarTimes UPL season, increasing the prize money offered by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations – FUFA.
Our Group CEO, Kin Kariisa, has since said of the milestone partnership, “The role of the fans in the growth and sustainability of Ugandan sport, in general, is not lost on us, and MTN Uganda has been a worthwhile partner to us since we started broadcasting the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. I am glad that today, our scope has been widened.”
At the press conference to launch this partnership, Somdev Sen, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Uganda, said, “With the reopening of the economy and permitting of social activities, the timing to energize local football is perfect. This move to recognize the people and institutions that promote local football is a sure way of growing this much-loved sport in our country.”
What other stakeholders said:
Bernard Bainamani – CEO, UPL Secretariat
MTN Uganda is a big brand, and coming on board is a confidence vote to other big brands.
David Sserebe – Vice Chairman, UPL Secretariat
UPL welcomes MTN Uganda back home to Ugandan football. The memories are great; the future will be far, far greater.
Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi – Third Vice President, Federation of Uganda Football Associations – FUFA
It is good for the number 1 telecom network in the country to partner with the number 1 footballing country in the region. Football is an indirect means of communication, and it is a vehicle for economic development and unity. E-viewership and online partnership are now the new normal. I would be right to say that the UPL-MTN Uganda partnership has been long overdue.
We are delighted about this partnership – MTN Uganda has been a great facilitator of our broadcast of the league to date. To see them extend this impact to the players, clubs, and secretariat only further strengthens our product – Joseph Kigozi – Deputy Group CEO, Next Media Services, and General Manager, Sanyuka Television
Next Communication Limited