Impis renamed Hima Impis in sh250m, two-year deal
The partnership was announced at the home of the Impis at the Graveyard by Hima Cement Head of Marketing Philemon Mubiru, who lauded the Impis for the good things they have achieved over the last few years.
Hima Cement Head of Marketing and Innovations, Philemon Mubiru (right), hands over a dummy cheque to Makerere Impis patron Dr. Phillip Katumba when the company announced a sh250m sponsorship to the club at Makerere. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka
Hima Cement has announced a two-year sh250m sponsorship with Impis Rugby Club that will see the team's name change to the Hima Impis for the duration of the contract.
The partnership was announced at the home of the Impis at the Graveyard by Hima Cement Head of Marketing Philemon Mubiru, who lauded the Impis for the good things they have achieved over the last few years.
"I would like to thank the Impis management for a job well done. Their lost partner has been found. We are going to see a lot of good things come out of this partnership because Hima Cement has been part and parcel of Rugby and Impis in the past," he said.
Of the 250m sponsorship, the club will receive 150m in cash and the rest of the money will be used to revamp the pavilion at the Graveyard, and it helps that the last time the pavilion was built, Impis was the club sponsor, which shows the history of the game.
"This is a crash programme to see Impis go back to the top," stated Mubiru.
Hima Cement is determined to support Uganda sports, particularly Impis, because it is a club with a vibrant fan base and, considering it has quite a number of students, there is great optimism about what they can achieve after the great season they had last year. Interestingly, that was their first season back in the top flight since their relegation, but they took a decent number of scalps last season, including Heathens and KOBs.
"This is welcome news for Impis because we have been struggling since we have not had sponsors for about four to five years. We connected with Hima and they were willing to come back to the Graveyard," explained Impis Trustee Stone Luggya.
This deal brings a lot of optimism for those within the club because they understand how impactful this cash investment will be and what a great help it will be to the players.
"We are still a team on the ascendancy. We have not yet reached our potential, and with a two-year contract with a guaranteed two-year extension, at least for the next four to 10 years — we feel positive."