There have been scenarios in the past when the Uganda national basketball teams almost missed out on international events because of a lack of finances and or due to inadequate preparation.

Late financing of the national team’s activities had become routine, leading to uncertainties. 

Silverbacks and Gazelles players join the Betpawa top officials in a group photo after the signing the partnership

This will for the next three years not happen after the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association sealed a sh2.6b partnership with Betpawa until 2026.

The costs to be covered under this partnership include team training, accommodation, travel, and medical insurance.

State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang congratulated FUBA and urged them to work towards excellence.

Spencer Okach, the Chief Brands Officer of Betpawa

“I must commend the bold decision taken by FUBA  to seek funding from the private sector but also compel the athletes to live up to the expectation of the nation as well as the sponsors by excelling at all levels,” he said during the formalisation of the partnership.

Ogwabg was also accompanied by the National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Bernard Ogwel.

Spencer Okach, the Betpawa Chief Brands Officer expressed his gratitude for his company to partner with FUBA to elevate the game to greater heights.

“FUBA has done a great job so far in developing this game in Uganda. As we commend them, we also want to give them the support they need to elevate the game higher, hence the timeliness of this sponsorship,” Okach happily noted.

He revealed that the sponsorship will give every national team player sh150,000 after a game as a match day allowance to motivate them to do better.

State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang speaking during the event

Confirming the sponsorship, FUBA CEO Marcus Kwikiriza said, “This is the first time our players are getting an incentive such as the Locker Room Bonus and I am glad because it is a great way to recognize the efforts made by our players on the court.”

This is the first time that the national teams will be bankrolled by the private sector since the introduction of the sport in Uganda in 1962.

“The sponsorship is timely given the global spotlight on the game brought on by the Basketball Africa League, it will increase players' exposure to top clubs abroad as betPawa will support them in attending tournaments where they can showcase their skills,” betPawa’s Chief Commercial Officer Ntoudi Mouyelo confidently noted. Uganda Rugby Cranes 7s have extended Uganda's gold medal tally to three at the ongoing African Games in Accra, Ghana after condemning Benin to a 56-0 loss.

This was further helped by hosts Ghana who beat Zimbabwe 21-17.

Uganda is now a gold medal winner with a game to spare.

Uganda will need to complete the puzzle when they face Kenya in their last game of the day.

Uganda currently stands on top of the round-robin log with 15 points, and no competition to worry about.

"We want to go hard on Kenya after losing to them two weeks back, we shall have a big reason to celebrate." Coach Tolber Onyango said.