Ugandan FA (FUFA) has sold Ugandan Premier League, Big League (second division) and Uganda Cup media rights to sports production and marketing company “Sports Broadcasting Limited” for three million dollars over four years.
The deal hailed as “transformational” arrives in time ahead of expiry of the current one with Tanzania’s pay television company “Azam TV”, who will not renew their mandate.
In the new arrangement, UPL will fetch $600,000, Big League $70,000 and Uganda Cup $80,000 each annually in the contract inked today in Kampala.
“Sports Broadcasting will rely 99 percent of local football on television. We shall change the face of football broadcast in Uganda,” Sports Broadcasting Managing Director Dennis Mbidde disclosed.
According to multiple sources, Sports Broadcasting will by mid-year launch a dedicated Free To Air channel to air the matches with 240 UPL games earmarked for live broadcast.
“We are not in for a short term. We are here for a long time. We value private sector development. We want to bring Uganda into the fore and promote tourism,” Mbidde added.
The deal’s monetary worth is almost similar to the Azam TV’s.
“This is a milestone and an emotional moment for me. We are using lessons learnt from previous broadcasters,” FUFA President Moses Magogo said while disclosing Azam’s exit.
“Azam wrote to FUFA that they will not be renewing the contract and so as FUFA we had to move swiftly to secure Sports Broadcasting.
“We are grateful, they have been paying on time and promptly,” Magogo added.
