Kudos Uganda Cranes, brought to you by MTN; but I want my data bundle back!0

While over 50,000 Ugandans were at Namboole cheering the Uganda Cranes, and many more following the game on TV and radio, I was hanging at Porkers, the coolest joint in Mukono, and soon, Uganda. <advert>Porkers has fast foods, traditional / local dishes, snacks, cakes, pork etc, all available at pocket friendly prices, served with a smile. If you live in Mukono, or know someone in Mukono, especially near UCU main campus, you / they need to drop by Porkers! Porkers is in Wandegeya, near the old University gate. You know where Big Sam’s used to be? That’s the place. If you find me there, I will buy you a drink. </advert>

So I was talking about the Uganda Cranes before I started talking about Porkers. You know I have been eating for over two and a half decades, and to make matters worse, I am still hungry, so I am thinking about food again…

Anyway, MTN has been drumming up support for today’s match. Despite the fact that this post was instigated by my beef with MTN for my data bundle that disappeared after I had used only 35%, I must say MTN did a good job of advertising this match. Everyone, and by everyone I mean everyone in Uganda knew about this match. I was in western Uganda last weekend, I found that even there, people who had no prospects of being at Namboole were warming up for the match. With all the ads on radio, TV, newspapers, billboards, planes and caller tunez, you had to be living under a rock not to notice!

MTN has a way with Ugandans! I don’t know whether it’s because they have a large wallet and hence a big advertising budget to play with, or because they hired very brilliant chaps both internally and at the advertising agency. Is it because the majority of Uganda’s connected population has an MTN number? Or do Ugandans just love MTN? Every day you hear people complaining about lost airtime, data bundles, Mobile Money network off, etc but they complain while loading more MTN airtime; that is if it successfully loads! If it does not, they will curse and keep trying until it succeeds and they continue calling and texting… Is it because of the speed and convenience of their mobile internet? They have so many options, down to a 500/= bundle, but I still believe their system has code to make sure you never use all your data all the time, just to make sure you buy another one to finish what you were doing… I don’t think the problem with MTN billing is by mistake.

My least favourite web page: Your bundle has expired...

Anyway, MTN (by the way are there other sponsors?) has done a good job of selling the game. They gave away tickets and sold them until they run out! I hear the stadium was full yet there were still thousands of people lining up to get in! Now, is this about advertising genius and prowess or are Ugandans becoming more patriotic? Was the huge support and turn up because they were effectively communicated to or would Namboole still fill up with a few radio and TV mentions? People bought “official Uganda Cranes Jerseys”, flags, Vuvuzelas and whistles, and have been charged up all week waiting for Saturday.

Do Ugandans love soccer this much or is this because it is the Uganda Cranes playing? Is it the Africa Cup of Nations that is exciting?

Or do Ugandans just love to party?

I was at Porkers not Namboole not because I am not patriotic but because I don’t care too much for soccer. I just can’t be bothered to line up for hours and then sit in the scorching sun just for a soccer match. I’d rather watch Desperate Housewives or a South American soap instead of going to a stadium to watch a match (Ok, even hard pressed I don’t think I can make sense of this Desperate Housewives thing, or sit through a translated Soap! I’d rather be subjected to a soccer match on TV). Yes this was Uganda Cranes playing and I love Uganda; Yes I am patriotic! I own an “Official” Cranes shirt, a Vuvuzela and a Uganda flag which I make use of at the earliest opportunity. In fact the last time we had such a game, I had my whole kit with me in the meetings that I had that day. No one thought it strange for a person to show up for a meeting with a Vuvuzela in one hand and a flag in the other, no laptop or notepad in sight…

Come to think of it, what is Patriotism? Is it going to support the Cranes? Having a flag in your office or a vuvuzela in your car? Is it holding onto power for life because you do not see any other worthy Ugandan? What, my friend, is the measure of Patriotism? I need Lord Vondermont’s phone number, I hear he once launched a program to teach Ugandans patriotism, maybe he can answer that question. After all he’s the only Ugandan with “vision”.

Congratulations Uganda Cranes and Uganda upon the victory. Cranes you were awesome today!