Rugby ace Uhuru wins first Nile Special ticket to Afcon

The continent’s clock is ticking and it is now 47 days before the first-ever 24-team Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) kicks off.
Uganda will be represented by the senior side - the Cranes - for the seventh time in Afcon history from June 21 - July 19 in Egypt.

When the countdown hit 50 days to go, Cranes’ sponsors Nile Breweries under brand Nile Special unveiled a new Afcon campaign for the Cranes dubbed ‘Uganda United’ at Lugogo Hockey ground on Thursday evening. Part of the campaign, which runs May 2 - June 20, gives Nile Special customers and Cranes’ fans a chance to win the 11 tickets available to watch their motherland in Egypt by sending codes via 8008.

Rugby Cranes’ Charles Uhuru emerged as the first winner of the campaign’s all-paid expenses trip to Cairo after the draw conducted at Lugogo.
“I just drank my two beers and sent in the codes,” said a calm yet thrilled Uhuru.
“I normally watch the Cranes on television so it will be my first time to watch them in a stadium,” said the lock.

“I just know a few guys like Hassan Wasswa. With the way they have been playing, I believe they will make us proud in Egypt,” he added.
In celebration, Uhuru was joined by Nile Breweries managing director Thomas Khampuis in dancing at the podium on the mesmeric night.
Lugogo had been a hub of activity with merrymaking all controlled by emcees Andrew Kabuura and Patriq Kanyomozi.

The launch was greeted with pomp by presentations from artistes Spice Diana and Ykee Brenda and the hashtag #UgandaUnited was trending on social media late into Friday.
This is not the first campaign by Nile Special for the Cranes. They have previously run the ‘Cranes Na Mutima’ campaign running alongside the ‘Mujje Tulumbe’ by telecommunication company Airtel.

“As the official beer partner of the Uganda Cranes, we are sending out a rallying cry to not only our consumers but to all the fans to Unite behind the Cranes as they take to the continental stage in the biggest football tournament in Africa,” said Nile Breweries marketing director Majok Amou.
And probably it is now understandable to rally behind coach Desabre Sebastien’s charges as they bid to make better than the Gabon 2017 show where they only managed a point and a goal.

Voices That Matter

“It wasn’t easy as some people might want to think mainly because we qualified early,” Onyango summarized Cranes’ route to Egypt. It was a tough group and it took alot of hard work.”
DENIS ONYANGO, UGANDA CRANES CAPTAIN

“We are sending out a rallying cry to not only our consumers but to all the fans to Unite behind the Cranes as they take to the continental stage in the biggest football tournament in Africa.”
Thomas Kamphuis, nile breweries MD

“We are not afraid of anyone. We have a young and hungry squad that want to prove themselves the they are ready to succeed. It’s a good platform for the younger players. Hard work will key.”
hassan wasswa, uganda cranes player

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