StarTimes, the main sponsor and official broadcaster of the Uganda Premier League, has warned that Vipers SC’s decision to withdraw from the same could cause a massive financial and competitive blow to the competition.
Speaking to NBS Sport, StarTimes Vice President Aldrine Nsubuga described Vipers’ pullout as “a dangerous precedent” that threatens both the sporting and commercial integrity of Ugandan football.
“Vipers pulling out changes the dynamics, cuts down the value of the league both on the field of play and also the broadcast value,” Nsubuga said, stressing that the impact could be severe enough to wipe out nearly two-thirds of the league’s market worth.
Commercial Shockwave
Nsubuga noted that the league’s commercial ecosystem was built around the presence of all sixteen teams, each contributing to broadcast schedules, advertising commitments, and fan engagement metrics.
Losing a powerhouse like Vipers, he explained, disrupts not only the fixture structure but also sponsorship and media rights contracts.
“The league’s framework was designed for sixteen clubs. Once one steps away, it distorts the entire schedule and undermines our agreements with advertisers and sponsors who invest based on full participation,” he said.
Fans at the Core of the Crisis
The StarTimes executive cautioned that such instability risks alienating the very people who sustain the game, the fans.
“It’s time for everyone not to be selfish. The fan invests time, emotions, life, and even money in merchandise. If the fan chooses to walk away, the club will be on its knees,” Nsubuga warned.
He added that Uganda’s football momentum, reignited by the recent CHAN tournament, could easily be undone if the league’s credibility continues to waver.
Clarifying StarTimes’ Role
Nsubuga clarified that while StarTimes remains committed to supporting Ugandan football, it has no authority over how the league is managed.
“We don’t own, manage, or regulate the league. We are just partners providing support,” he emphasized, distancing the broadcaster from administrative controversies.
Not Consulted on League Reforms
The StarTimes Vice President also revealed that the company was not involved in recent league reforms, despite its central role as a long-term partner.
“We got to know about the reforms like everybody else. Maybe if we had been informed earlier, we could have advised,” he remarked.
Nsubuga urged FUFA, clubs, and stakeholders to prioritize collaboration over confrontation to preserve the league’s image and financial health.
“Our customers are the fans,” he concluded. “If they lose trust in the league, we all lose. Keeping them emotionally connected is the only way to safeguard football’s future.”
Vipers’ withdrawal may expose a deeper rot, one rooted not in clubs or sponsors, but in the leadership lapses at FUFA that continue to undermine the league’s credibility and value.
