Uganda Premier League giants Express FC have acquired a lucrative Sh1.5bn sponsorship package from Betting company Bet Sure.
The announcement was made in an unveiling ceremony held on Thursday at Serena Hotel in Kampala.
Bet Sure will appear in front of Express FC jerseys for the next three seasons.
It was revealed that Express will be getting Sh 500m each year, in a deal that may be renewed after expiry.
The Red Eagles had earlier unveiled Melbet as their new partner and were to appear at the back of their shirts this season, but with the new betting company on board, Melbet has been ditched and compensated.
“Express came back on top a few years ago, we won the league in 2021 and are still CECAFA Champions and we still have the biggest following,” bragged Express CEO Isaac Mwesigwa.
“To Bet Sure, we are called ‘Mukwano Gw’abangi’ and know that you have joined the group of many. We want to assure you that we are going to add value to your brand and we are going to achieve our set objectives.
“We want to let everyone in the building know that Express are going to compete and play exciting football.”
Aldrine Nsubuga, the leading brand ambassador for Bet Sure described the deal as the “biggest sponsorship” in Ugandan Football at the moment adding that the Express fraternity should have all the reasons to be excited and proud.
Ronald Mugulusi, the Local Representative for Bet Sure, said that they got attracted to Express because of the Club’s rich history.
“Express has never been relegated and they have won many trophies. We are also winners and that’s why we are associating with you,” Mugulusi said.
“Just know that we are going to move this beautiful journey with you, our primary goal is to get you back to the glory days and we guarantee this that you will have all the necessary support.”
Mugulusi said that the Sh1.5bn is already guaranteed, and Mwesigwa added that it will be received in Cash when asked about the sponsorship breakdown.
Mugulusi added: “The other money will come through in terms of players bonuses. And also, the Club will receive more in case they finish in top places.”
Express Board of Director Ssuubi Kiwanuka expressed his delight and also added that they are doing everything possible to see that the Club secures a new home.
Express Back in Contention
It’s a timely intervention for a club that was hit with financial constraints towards the end of last season after previous Sponsor Betway pulled out.
Express sacked coach Bbosa before the season ended, and playing as defending champions, the Red Eagles finished a lowly sixth with 28 points below champions Vipers.
Teams like Vipers, KCCA and URA FC who finished above Express have done better in the transfer window while Gaddafi Modern who is now coached by Wasswa Bbosa, will be the other competitor.
BUL FC and Arua Hill were impressive last season and will put up a good resistance.
And that had left Express among pretenders to this season’s title contention.
They have lost their best players in Eric Kambale, Enock Walusimbi, Godfrey Lwesibawa among others while Allan Kayiwa, Marvin Oshaba etc are the other additions.
This season’s squad is weaker than that of last season on paper add coach James Odoch who still has a lot to prove in that mix and you see that they may be destined to struggle. But if these players are well facilitated, Express will be putting up a formidable challenge.
