The move by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), to have the knock out rounds of the second edition of the FUFA drum in one region has proved to be a masterstroke.
For the second edition of the Drum tournament, FUFA decided that the northern region will play host to the mini-tournament, and this has proved to have impacted the region.
Besides the mammoth crowds that have turned up to watch the games, business in the region has also been affected, as local businesses have seen a massive increase in their daily profits.
From accommodation and hospitality businesses like hotels, guest houses and lodges, restaurants, bars and night clubs, transportation means such as motorcycles locally known as “Boda Boda” to small financial institutions like mobile money outlets, the financial implications are evident for all.
“As the Pacific Hotel, we have made a lot of money from accommodation, meals and bar section. On behalf of the hotel, I extend my thanks to all visitors for trusting us in this period of the tournament,” revealed Joshua Oryem a cashier at Pacific Grand Hotel.
Motorcyclist Dixon Obua has been one of the beneficiaries in the transport section for the time the FFUA Drum has been going on.
“I am grateful for this period as I have been able to make some good money out of it. Riding different clients to and from the stadium has been the order of the day,” Obua said.
Anthony Okello, a mobile money attendant has had his business grow drastically; “My daily transactions increased because of this tournament as I received new clients withdrawing and sending money.”
Without a doubt, the organisers of the tournament were spot-on with relocating the business stage of the tournament to Lira and Gulu respectively as the turn up on match days especially when Acholi and Lango were in action was amazing.
The FUFA Drum will climax Tuesday, December 10th, as home province Acholi play Bukedi at the John Akii Bua stadium in Lira.
