By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Kampala: Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has partnered with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to promote Uganda’s tourism through football
The yearlong renewable partnership was officially unveiled to the public with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties at FUFA House in Kampala on June 20th, 2019. The partnership focuses on converging huge numbers of local sports enthusiasts into actual tourists through the province sports challenge dubbed ‘FUFA DRUM’ , which attracts a multitude of supporters from different parts of the country who in turn become local tourists in the different areas they go to.
The momentous occasion followed a series of successful boardroom meetings as disclosed by the FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha, who was flanked by FUFA second Vice President Darius Mugoye, FUFA Marketing and Communications Committee chairman Rogers Byamukama, FUFA Deputy CEO Humphrey Mandu as well as officials from UTB led by their Chief Executive officer Lilly Ajarova and UTB Board member Eddie Kirya.
Justus Mugisha, FUFA First Vice President in a statement said, “I am very excited about this partnership with Uganda Tourism Board which indeed speaks volumes. This has proved that FUFA is worth it. The partnership with UTB, a Government body, also justifies the Government of Uganda’s continued trust and improved relationship with FUFA. The Brand of football in the country has improved and we are happy that football is taking the right strides. I convey greetings from the FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo who is currently in Egypt with other members as well as our Uganda Cranes team for the TOTAL AFCON Egypt 2019 Finals.”
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Chief Executive Officer, Lilly Ajarova, said that the “Uganda Tourism Board is excited. This has not been a one day process. There have been discussions before. In line with our recently launched strategic plan of sustainable increase for the volume of domestic and international tourism as well as building brand equity and value, UTB is glad to associate with FUFA. This is business unusual and a double bottom-line opportunity. We want to create a positive opportunity for the youth in Uganda through football as we also develop sports tourism. Uganda Cranes’ back to back participation in the Africa Cup of Nations has also been a great development and a unique opportunity to develop Uganda’s international tourism.”
