Uganda tourism supports Uganda Cranes at Africa Cup of Nations 2019 in Egypt
This week a team from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) are in Egypt – this year’s host of the Africa Cup of Nations – to promote and market Destination Uganda alongside the Uganda Cranes, the national football team.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) attracts travelers from all over the world providing a great opportunity for Uganda to market her tourist attractions.
“Egypt is a well-known world over for the pyramids and the River Nile. As the country that has the source of the Nile, we feel that this is a great opportunity to market the source of this river as well as our tourism potential to the rest of the world while utilizing this sports platform,” says the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda.
The Uganda Tourism Board has set up a hospitality tent in Egypt to provide information about the Pearl of Africa’s tourism attractions, with emphasis on the uniting attraction that is River Nile.
Lilly Ajarova, CEO of UTB explains: “We have invited dignitaries from all the AFCON 2019 participating nations and we shall treat them to the Ugandan experience. We have also planned an open day where everyone will be invited to try out the Ugandan cuisine, learn the Ugandan culture as well as experience Ugandan hospitality.”
“Football is the world’s greatest sport viewed by billions of fans across the globe. In Uganda, Cranes is the greatest football brand”
The Uganda tourism team’s presence in Egypt follows the Ugx 200m ($50,000 +) sponsorship agreement signed between the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and UTB, the official tourism partner. This partnership gives the Uganda Tourism Board the chance to brand Uganda Cranes and work together to promote both domestic and international tourism.
Ajarova adds “Football is the world’s greatest sport viewed by billions of fans across the globe. In Uganda, the Cranes is the greatest football brand – but more importantly, they are the leading sporting ambassadors to the region and the world. We want to open up brand Uganda to the massive sports audience where our national team participates.”
FUFA 1st Vice President, Justus Mugisha said that “We are using the power of sports to position Uganda on a global scene. We are proud to be in partnership and we hope to continue building our nation through sports and tourism.”
Opening Ceremony of Africa Cup of Nations 2019
Earlier in 2019, UTB signed a partnership with the Uganda Golf Union to promote countrywide golfing tours. It is likely that additional new sports tourism activities will be launched.
UTB sign agreement with FUFA. Kampala Uganda, June 2019. VisitUganda
We go, we go, Uganda Cranes, we go!
The Uganda Cranes are making a second consecutive appearance at the biennial AFCON event. They won their first match (against the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and today – June 26 – the Cranes play Zimbabwe. The final group A game will be against the hosts Egypt.
