The Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) received a significant partnership boost today as Mandela Group, through its renowned City Tyres brand, officially handed over trophies and equipment ahead of the highly anticipated 8th edition of the East African Badminton Challenge.
The exciting development was confirmed on Monday evening at the City Tyres offices in Kampala. The championship proper is set to ignite the Lugogo Indoor Stadium from Thursday, October 16th to Sunday, October 19th, 2025, promising four days of intense badminton action.
City Tyres’ commitment extends far beyond just trophies. Their comprehensive sponsorship includes the provision of 125 meticulously crafted trophies, rackets, certificates, and an enhanced prize purse for various winners. This year’s edition sees a substantial increase in prize money, from eight million to a generous eleven million Ugandan Shillings, further elevating the stakes for competitors. Additionally, City Tyres will be transforming the Lugogo Arena with vibrant branding, setting the stage for a spectacular event.
Global Gathering of Talent:
Over 1500 participants from across the region and beyond are expected to converge in Kampala. Athletes from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Burundi, and South Sudan will showcase their talent and skill across a wide array of categories, ensuring a diverse and thrilling competition. Categories include:
Schools: U-10, U-13, U-15, U-19
Individual Events: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles
Team Events: University Teams, Corporate Teams, Coaches, Professionals Nations Category
Special Categories: Foreigners Living in Uganda, Veterans, Medi
A Decade of Dedication to Ugandan Sports:
Speaking on behalf of City Tyres, Herbert Bashasha, the company’s Head of Marketing and Communication, reiterated the Mandela Group’s unwavering commitment to sports. “Our partnership with UBA spans over a decade, driven by our deep-seated love for sports, a passion reflected in our support for various other disciplines as well,” Bashasha stated.
He further elaborated on the sponsorship: “Today, we officially hand over 125 trophies on top of other prizes we have provided to the Uganda Badminton Association as the main sponsors. I extend my sincere gratitude to our esteemed partners, Linglong and Emirates International Companies, for their invaluable support over the past seven years and counting. We also thank the Indian Association of Uganda for their crucial role in promoting and growing badminton in Uganda. With numerous categories to compete in, expect fireworks!”
UBA CEO Expresses Gratitude and Optimism:
In a media brief, Uganda Badminton Association CEO, Simon Mugabi, expressed profound joy and gratitude. “This is a big day for us, and we commend City Tyres for their kind heart. We are especially excited to introduce new categories, including Media and Coaches, at this 8th edition of the East Africa Badminton Challenge.”
Mugabi emphasized the broader vision behind the event: “We are committed to ensuring Badminton grows. This competition is going to provide many players with invaluable exposure. It’s truly one of the special events in Ugandan Badminton, consistently attracting a large number of participants across youth, adult, and corporate levels, competing in both team and individual events.”
The Mandela Group of Companies, an influential conglomerate, owns renowned brands such as City Oil, City Tyres, Café Javas, Mandela Millers, CJ’s, Mandela AutoSpares, City Retread, and The Food Hub, consistently demonstrating its dedication to youth development through sports initiatives.
