There was once a time when certain Ugandan sports disciplines such as rugby, struggled to get coverage on television.
However, those days are now long gone, thanks to NBS Sport—the channel Championing Ugandan Sport.
The impact of NBS Sport’s commitment to broadcasting rugby has transformed the sport’s visibility in Uganda.
For example, the channel’s extensive coverage of the Rugby Africa Cup, Africa’s premier rugby competition featuring eight of the best rugby XVs from the continent, is a testament to this dedication.
Hosted in Uganda from July 18 to 29, the Rugby Africa Cup brought together top teams on the continent, including hosts Uganda, then defending champions Namibia, eventual champions Zimbabwe, neighbours Kenya, and Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.
NBS Sport, who were the official broadcast and production partners of the tournament, delivered flawless coverage of all 12 matches live, setting a new standard for African rugby broadcasting.
Memorable moments, such as Joseph Aredo’s penalty in sudden death that secured victory for hosts Uganda over Senegal to finish 5th in the competition, were broadcast live.
Lest we forget Philip Wokorach’s setting up of his brother Innocent Gwokto for a try in Uganda’s first game against Zimbabwe, which brought the score to 22-20, though the Rugby Cranes ultimately fell short against the eventual champions.
Zimbabwe’s 32-10 thrashing of Namibia in the semi-finals, which ended the latter’s dominance in the competition, and the Sables’ resounding 29-3 victory over Algeria in the final to crown them champions for the first time since 2012, were also captured live on NBS Sport.
During the awarding ceremony of the NBS Sport team that flawlessly covered the tournament, Kin Kariisa, the Group CEO of Next Media, NBS Sport’s parent company, reinforced the channel’s commitment to comprehensive sports coverage.
“Our aim at NBS Sport and Next Media in general, is to cover every sporting event in this country,” he stated in August.
“We’re investing in both technology and human capital to achieve world-class standards, as viewers around the globe rely on us for international competition feeds originating from Uganda.”
Joseph Kigozi, Deputy Group CEO and General Manager of NBS Sport, echoed Kariisa’s sentiment, expressing pride in the channel’s success as the official broadcast partner.
“The Rugby Africa Cup broadcast on NBS Sport was outstanding. We extend our gratitude to the union, partners, and sponsors for their confidence in us,” Kigozi said.
“This is only the beginning. We’ll continue learning, improving, and championing Ugandan sport.”
And as promised, NBS Sport didn’t stop at just broadcasting the Rugby Africa Cup.
Beyond the tournament, NBS Sport also covered the National Rugby 7s Series, including the Entebbe 7s, hosted by Mongers at Entebbe Works Grounds, and the Kyadondo 7s, hosted by Thunderbirds.
The Gulu 7s, organised by Gulu City Falcons at Pece Stadium from September 7-8, Kyabazinga 7s, held in Bugembe, Jinja, Mbarara 7s at Kakyeka Stadium from September 21-22, and the Rujumba 7s, hosted by Pirates at King’s Park Arena from October 5-6 were all perfectly broadcast live.
At the Rujumba 7s, the grand finale of the National Rugby 7s circuit, fans witnessed Heathens secure the national crown after an 11-year wait, while Black Pirates won the Rujumba 7s on home soil; all live on NBS Sport.
Making things even better, NBS Sport made history in Ugandan rugby when both the men’s and women’s national rugby squads were unveiled live on television earlier this week.
The Lady Cranes’ squad for the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Tournament in Accra was announced live on NBS Sport on Monday, and the next day, the Rugby Cranes XVs squad for the upcoming Elgon Cup followed.
Uganda Rugby Union CEO Isaac Lutwama explained the decision to unveil the squads live on NBS Sport, emphasizing the channel as the ideal platform to effectively reach and engage rugby fans.
“We wanted to inform the rugby fans properly. We believe this approach strengthens our connection with the fans and gives them a deeper insight into the teams that represent them.”
The excitement continues as Uganda prepares to face Kenya in the Elgon Cup, an annual rugby clash between the two nations.
Jovita Musimenta, the Programs Director of NBS Sport, confirmed that the return leg on November 16 in Uganda will be broadcast live on the channel.
Next Media Group CEO Kin Kariisa also revealed that the station is already preparing to broadcast the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, which Uganda will host, featuring Zimbabwe, Algeria, Namibia, Kenya, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and the winner of the 2024 Men’s Rugby Africa Cup Repechage.
“We’ve engaged the Uganda Rugby Union, and they’re eager for us to cover next year’s tournament as well,” Kariisa said.
