Recently, clubs based at Legends Rugby Club, KOBs, Rhinos, and Warriors, waged an uprising against the URU by trying to get Guinness onboard as a club and facility sponsor.
This saw games in the Uganda Cup fixture which the legends’ sides were to play being canceled/postponed, so as to resolve the issue.
Clubs are within their confines to get a sponsor onboard to boost their incomes given game day gate collections are meager and the biggest percentage being taken by the hosting facility, but this particular sponsor has raised eyebrows with the rugby governing body in Uganda.
What’s wrong with this?
In 2022, Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) announced a significant sponsorship of 9.8 billion for Uganda rugby over the next four years. This was an elevation from a 670 million annual sponsorship deal.
This sponsorship not only covers the league but also extends to the national teams in both the 15s and 7s variations for both men and women.
Additionally, there are other benefits included in this package.
9.8bn sponsorship package broken down:
- Rugby Premier League and Championship (Sh2.68bn) – 3 years – Title/Beer Sponsor
- Rugby Africa 7s (Sh430m) – 2 years – Beer Sponsor
- Rugby Cranes 15s (Sh1.77bn) – 3 years – Home Jersey Sponsor
- National 7s League (Sh2.15bn) – 4 years – Title sponsor
- Women 7s (Sh465m) – 4 years – Title sponsor
- National 7s team (Sh1.34bn) – 4 years – Beer Sponsor
- Local Regional 7s (Sh280m) – 4 years – Beer sponsor
- Uganda Cup Men (Sh250m) – 4 years – Beer Sponsor
- Uganda Cup Women (Sh105m) – 4 years – Beer sponsor
- University League (Sh165m) – 4 years – Beer Sponsor
- Annual Dinner (Sh300m) – 4 Years – Lead Sponsor
Just like any “mouthwatering” contract, it came with conditions, and one of them was exclusivity, with Nile Special being the only beer brand associated with Uganda rugby.
Well, maybe URU negotiated “a bad deal” or NBL hoodwinked them, but at least one party surely foresaw the situation at hand.
So does URU forfeit the contract with NBL for Guinness’ sponsorship of the three Legends clubs?
In the wise words of Spock, a logical character from Star Trek portrayed by Leonard Nimoy, “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
While it is understandable that teams from Legends are seeking to improve player welfare and club well-being, it is crucial to prioritize the overall interests of Uganda rugby as a whole.
Facilities like Pitstop in Jinja have joined legends in “going against the sponsor.” Aren’t we ditching a long-lasting relationship over a one-night stand?
If Guinness was serious about this, they could have offered URU “an offer they couldn’t refuse”. They could have matched or better, thrown out of the water what Nile Special had presented.
It is highly unlikely that URU granted NBL exclusivity without giving UBL an opportunity to counteroffer, considering their longstanding relationship with both rival beer brands over the years.
If this was a bad deal (as we are being made to believe), then we can’t blame NBL for it. They looked out for their interests. It’s URU supposed to look out for the interests of the clubs. Perhaps this was the best deal they could secure at that time, but with changing circumstances, it may be necessary to reassess and make necessary adjustments.
Courtesy Photos