Uganda Airlines on Saturday, September 25, 2021 entered into partnership with the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) where the national carrier will be the official airline of FMU members.
Speaking at the unveiling of the partnership at Uganda Airlines offices in Kampala, Jennifer Bamuturaki, the Acting Uganda Airlines CEO described the deal as a great partnership in line with the current and continued push for Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU).
“This partnership will definitely increase mileage for Uganda Airlines with the large fan base and sportsmanship that comes with motorsport,” Bamuturaki said.
She added that the partnership will mutually benefit Uganda Airlines and FMU as they “jointly market destination Uganda.”
“With this partnership, Uganda Airlines has positioned itself as the airline of choice for the motorsport fraternity,” she said, adding that the national carrier has also been given branding opportunities at every motorsport event in the country and abroad where FMU is participating.
“For the motorsport fraternity, they will benefit from a 15% discount on ticket fares for their drivers and bikers participating in international events in countries we fly to and sponsorship to participate in rallies abroad,” Bamuturaki said.
She added that the Airline is keen to grow and expand especially with the easing of travel restrictions around the world.
She added that effective Monday 4th October 2021, Uganda Airlines will commence direct flights to Dubai using the Airbus A330 neo state of the art Aircraft recently added on to the Airline’s Air Operator Certificate.
“This marks the start of international routes for the Airline with London, Guangzhou and others in the pipeline,” she said, adding: “With the many tonnes of cargo the Airbus can carry, we are confident that the FMU members will benefit greatly from this partnership.”
Speaking at the same event, FMU President Dipu Ruparelia said the partnership brings to Uganda Airlines a huge constituency of motorsport enthusiasts, businessmen and leisure travelers.
He noted that motorsport events in Uganda attract 30,000-50,000 spectators over the weekend in the countryside and on circuits, with another estimated 200,000-500,000 following on various social media platforms locally and internationally.
“An impact study of motorsports in Uganda reveals that we are a Shs4.5bn sport every weekend we go out and have had a huge economic impact on the areas the sport visits in terms of accommodation, entertainment, hospitality and recreation, fuel and lubricants, insurance, taxes, food and beverages to mention but a few,” Ruparelia said.
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