Uganda Cranes fans to receive millions from MTN
Somdev Sen, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Uganda, greets some of the Uganda Cranes and Crested Cranes players at the 'Uganda Fayaaa' launch.
In a bid to re-ignite passion for the national football team, the Uganda Cranes, MTN Uganda has launched a new campaign to identify and reward the country’s top cheerleaders ahead of the forth-coming World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The new initiative, organized in partnership with the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), would see the winners receive millions of shillings in cash, in addition to sponsorship to cheer the Uganda Cranes at both home and away matches.
To participate in the campaign dubbed ‘Uganda Fayaaa,’ fans may form 10-member teams and create cheerleading-videos and send them to partner TV stations including Bukedde TV, NBS Sports and FUFA TV, not later than June 3, 2024.
- The top nine cheerleading teams would receive facilitation of up to UGX1.5 million each to activate their performances at the upcoming Uganda Cranes games against Botswana on June 7 and Algeria on June 10, 2024.
The best three teams selected from the nine groups would receive the top cash prize of UGX5 million per group. Additionally, they will be rewarded with a one-year contract to cheerlead the Uganda Cranes and Crested Cranes for home and away games plus allowances and facilitation.
The fans who participate in the voting also stand a chance to win goodies including airtime, data, and tickets for one the Uganda Cranes qualifying games.
- FUFA CEO Edgar Watson welcomed the initiative, saying it coincides with the return of fans to international football at Namboole Stadium, which he said is a huge boost for the Uganda Cranes. “With the biggest sponsors of Ugandan football and Uganda Cranes — MTN — at the forefront, the fans will be looking forward to exciting times,” he said.
“FUFA knows the value of both fans and MTN to the sport in the country as key stakeholders. The great times are back to Namboole with the fans once again heavily involved. May the best cheerleader groups enjoy every moment in the Uganda Fayaa campaign.”
Somdev Sen, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Uganda, urged all fans to participate in the cheerleader search and support the national team. “Together, let's show the world the true spirit of Ugandan football," he said.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly held in Canada, Mexico and USA with the number of participating teams rising to 48 from 32, while the number of teams qualifying from Africa was raised from five to nine, which presents Uganda with a big opportunity to qualify for the showpiece event for the first time.
Uganda is in Group G along with Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana and Somalia. The Cranes have already beaten Somalia in Mogadishu and have three points, behind group leaders Algeria who have six points.
- Upcoming Uganda Cranes World Cup 2026 qualifying matches:
- June 7, 2024: Uganda Cranes Vs Botswana (Namboole Stadium, Kampala); June 10: Uganda Cranes Vs Algeria (Namboole Stadium, Kampala). March 17, 2025: Mozambique Vs Uganda Cranes (Maputo); March 24: Uganda Cranes Vs Guinea (Namboole Stadium, Kampala).
September 1, 2025: Uganda Cranes Vs Mozambique (Namboole Stadium, Kampala); September 8: Uganda Cranes Vs Somalia (Namboole Stadium, Kampala).
October 6, 2025: Botswana Vs Uganda Cranes ( Gaborone); Algeria Vs Uganda Cranes (Algiers).
In January last year, MTN Uganda announced a hefty UGX19 billion sponsorship for FUFA programs and the Uganda Cranes (men’s team), the Crested Cranes (national women’s team), The FUFA Drum, The FUFA Juniors League, The FUFA Super 8, the FUFA Super Cup, and the FUFA Awards.