Onduparaka Football Club, also known as the Caterpillars of West Nile, has signed a one-year sponsorship deal with Beri Cottages Limited, a hospitality business operating in Arua District. The club, currently competing in the FUFA Big League for the past three seasons, sits in 9th position out of 15 teams, placing it close to the relegation zone.
The partnership comes at a critical moment, with only four matches remaining in the 2025/26 FUFA Big League season. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Beri Cottages will sponsor a Fan Player-Man of the Match award worth Shs 100,000 per game. Each of the 18-man matchday squad will receive Shs 10,000 per home game for the 15 home fixtures in the next year.
The hotel will also provide free access to its health club facilities for Onduparaka players and management. Unveiling the partnership on Saturday, Owen Ezaga, Head of Marketing and Communications at Onduparaka FC, described the deal as a significant milestone for the club, saying it will boost morale among players, management, and fans as they push to avoid relegation and aim for a return to the Uganda Premier League.
Elizabeth Mukuze, the Managing Director of Beri Cottages, said the sponsorship was intended to support local talent and give back to the community through Onduparaka FC. She added that the agreement takes immediate effect and will run for one year, with a possibility of renewal regardless of whether the club survives in the FUFA Big League this season.
Fans and sports enthusiasts in Arua, where the club’s Greenlight Stadium is based, welcomed the partnership, describing it as a timely boost for Onduparaka FC in its fight for survival in the league.
Following the agreement, Onduparaka promotional kits will now be displayed and marketed at Beri Cottages Hotel, while the hotel will undertake branding activities, attend all home games, and market its products on match days at Greenlight Stadium.
Onduparaka FC, which currently has limited sponsorship support, including Ababet, will on Sunday play its fourth-last FUFA Big League fixture against Mbale Heroes, followed by matches against Paidha Black Angels, Catda FC, and Blacks Power FC to conclude the season.
There are three FUFA Big League clubs from West Nile still battling for Uganda Premier League promotion next season, including Onduparaka, Nebbi Central, and Paidha Black Angels, while Midigo Calvary FC in Yumbe is fighting to maintain its Uganda Premier League status-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
