Since StarTimes took over as official sponsors of the top tier of Ugandan football in August 2018, the UPL looks to be on a the right path interms of attracting new fans and luring them back to the stadiums.
With the game now readily available on a local TV, many can access it and indeed watch it from wherever they are.
Aldrine Nsubuga, the StarTimes East Africa Regional Marketing Manager who brokered the 10-yeal deal, spoke about the League’s progress and how satisfied the Pay TV giants are with its (League) progress.
“We are happy with the current progress of the league since we took over, noted Nsubuga while speaking on an interview on a local TV.
“The numbers in and out of the stadiums have increased and we are confident that the league is moving forward.
“In terms of business, we at StarTimes are happy with the progress curve as our sales have moved up and we pray that continues in the last eight years of our deal.”
Many media houses have for some time complained about being blocked from re-producing UPL content.
When asked about this, Nsubuga was quick to clarify that it is all 100% because of business and the situation will bot be changing anytime soon.
“We bought 100% broadcast rights of the UPL and no one is allowed to produce or reproduce UPL content.
“This is all about maximizing profits which is every business’s goal and we will not tone down at any point throughout our contract because this is business.
“We will not let any of our competitors get any advantage over us.”
Long before they took over the league, StarTimes had already tapped into Ugandan football, sponsoring both SC Villa and KCCA FC.
However, after a few seasons, SC Villa was dropped.
Nsubuga clarified on the Villa sponsorship noting that Villa failed to live up to the expectations and that is why they moved out on them and opted to stay with only KCCA FC.
“Villa was a projected that we very much wanted to associate with for a long period of time.
“However, they failed us in so many aspects as they were associated with hooliganism and indiscipline.
“Sponsors look at so many things aside from just the football on the pitch and as StarTimes, we could not continue with Villa.
“For KCCA FC, we are still with them and happy with the deal as they are arguably the biggest brand in Ugandan league football.
“The way the team runs both on and off the pitch, gives you no room to want to run away from them.”
Currently the Uganda Premier League is on halt due to the global Coronavirus crisis.
It was expected to return early next month but because of the 21-day lock down that was announced by President Museveni on Tuesday, the UPL Secretariat is to announce a new proposed date for the resumption of the league.
Each of the teams has played 25 games which leaves them with just five more round to play.
Vipers SC lead the standings with 54 points, four ahead of Vipers SC while SC Villa are third. Maroons FC, Proline FC and Tooro United FC currently occupy the UPL bottom three.
