Dr Hannington Byarugaba‘s multi-million private independent ambulance service – City Ambulance have Thursday unveiled their new sponsorship to Ugandan rugby as the country seeks to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
“Uganda can become the fifth African country to play in the World Cup,” City Ambulance’s Mugisha Kizito told TheUgandan. “For us as City Ambulance, we shall make sure that we take care of the players’ welfare through responding to medical emergencies as well as giving first first aid during the four home games. Our track record speaks for itself now in big Ugandan sports events.”
City Ambulance’s medical sponsorship was hailed as a game-changer by Uganda Rugby Union president, Andrew Owor, on Thursday during launch at Legends Rugby grounds of Rugby Cranes’ hectic international campaign that includes the Elgon Cup and Gold Cup/ Rugby Africa 1A games.
Mr. Owor revealed that with arrival of the City Ambulances and other sponsors, more than half of URU’s USh650 million budget has been covered both in cash and kind.
The Naalya-based Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provider that offers prompt, professional basic and advanced patient transportation services made a name for itself in the MTN Kampala marathon and now are extending their footprint into rugby.
KCCA, Stanbic Bank, Pioneer Bus, Sanlam, Red Pepper, Shell Rimula are the other sponsors who will boast the Rugby Cranes players’ morale during Uganda’s four home games and two away games.
Uganda’s mountain to climb
The draw for the 2019 Rugby World Cup took place in Kyoto, Japan on Wednesday, revealing that if Uganda were to qualify, by winning next year’s Rugby Africa 1A, they would end up in pool B with three time Web Ellis winners and defending world champions New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and the winner from a wild card tournament.
Uganda must avoid relegation and stay put in Africa’s elite tier in order to compete at the same level next year, hoping they can come out on top, to earn a ticket to Japan in the process.
