UPL clubs debut Wear Your Local Jersey initiative

Branding among many clubs in the topflight has not been all that visible.

However with the launch of an initiative dubbed 'Wear Your Local Jersey', clubs hope to create brand awareness and visibility in a fast-growing economy that has been severely hit by neo-colonialism.

This was unveiled on Thursday following a joint press briefing at Lugogo by six Uganda Premier League clubs; SC Villa, Vipers, KCCA, Police, URA, and Wakiso Giants. 

"Buying local club merchandise will help in the sensitisation of the public about the importance of associating with the clubs," stated Anisha Muhoozi, the KCCA CEO.

The initiative will also be a platform for the various clubs to financially empower themselves since most clubs lean heavily on gate collections and personal investment by club officials to running clubs.

"Football in Uganda is highly rated as per the FIFA rankings but the commercial value is still low," added Muhoozi.

FUFA deputy CEO Humphrey Mandu cautioned clubs to always use branding as a case study to reach the level they want to be.

"Brand visibility is key in the promotion of the development of club structures. I want to thank KCCA because at least they have managed to get funds from selling club merchandise," noted Mandu.

Wakiso Giants CEO Sula Kamoga urged the clubs to work together in a more collective way to see that the initiative is a success.

"Clubs should be ready to provide the merchandise to the fans at all times and not get into a comfort zone after accumulating some funds," Kamoga reasoned.

Police CEO Fahad Lumu said this is the perfect opportunity they involve the local textile industries to see how they can strengthen the country's economy.

"As a growing economy, we have to come up and buy Uganda and build Uganda. The good thing is that Police officials will be required to wear the Police FC jersey every weekend starting with the coming season and I believe this will benefit the club," Lumu stated.

Abdul Wasike the Vipers head of communications hailed those who birthed the idea.

"We have all our students at St Mary's Kitende put on club jerseys on matchdays which promotes the club. For all the time I have spent in the media, this is the first time I am seeing the clubs come together as one," Wasike stated.

SC Villa public relations officer Bernard Olupot, Express CEO Isaac Mwesigwa, and URA CEO Henry Mayeku are other club officials who attended the event.