Pay TV Company StarTimes has secured the naming and broadcasting rights of the Uganda Premier League and FUFA Big League for a period of 10 years in a deal worth US$7.24 million (26.5B Ugx).
The sponsorship deal was revealed on Thursday morning at Hotel Africana with the attendance of StarTimes top officials; CEO Andy Wang, Vice President, Branding and Marketing Head Aldrine Nsubuga and PR Manager Christine Kikomeko.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, Chairman Marketing and Communications Rogers Byamukama and Uganda Premier League Board Chairman Arinaitwe Rugyendo were also in attendance.
StarTimes CEO Andy Wang said the 10 year relationship is aimed at promoting local games and bringing it to everyone, everywhere in this part of the world.
“We took this decision to give back to the people of Uganda because of their passion for football, we have four sports channels, we shall announce soon which of our channels will be broadcasting the games and the best alternative will be communicated,” he said.
He appealed to Ugandans to support and embrace StarTimes for supporting Uganda football and thanked them for making them the leading pay television.
“We took this decision as a way of thanking the public for supporting our business and making us the leading pay television with 70% market share after only eight (8) years.” CEO Wang said.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo thanked StarTimes for their contribution towards the development of Ugandan football.
“I am excited to be part of history, we pledge to work much harder to make sure the game even becomes better. Modern game needs money and there is no shortcut to that, we shall continue to work harder to get the money,” the FUFA president said.
He lauded StarTimes for the deal noting that Serious broadcasters invest for long and it’s the reason this partnership is 10 years. He said it is huge investment in Ugandan football and StarTimes is a partner behind them that they have a lot of confidence in.
“We are aware that StarTimes has more than 3million subscribers in Uganda and that audience can only grow bigger and better in every single corner of this country. The StarTimes Uganda Premier League will be watched all over Africa,” he continued.
GTV, SuperSport and Azam are the previous TV companies that have broadcasted Uganda’s top flight football league.