Sen Somdev, Chief Marketing Officer at MTN Uganda rallied fans in the shape of Uncle Money and team to be great ambassadors of football and Uganda Cranes in particular at all times, in a disciplined, systematic and organized way. : : Four years ago, Jackson “Uncle Money” Ssewanyana was slapped to a 4-year jail sentence by Buganda Road chief magistrate Miriam Okello over suspected manslaughter. Ssewanyana, then a local leader in Kasubi village, a suburb in Kampala was accused of influence in the mob attack to a one Hakim Siraje Tumusiime, now deceased who was allegedly accused of snatching a cell-phone in 2019.
When Ssewanyana was sentenced in 2021, it was doom for himself, family members, close friends, fans and the football fraternity which he had served passionately with diligence. Upon release last October, he swiftly returned to his old odd job of cheering the Uganda Cranes, the national football team. Three months ago, MTN Uganda, the leading Uganda Cranes sponsor announced a competition for fans.
Ssewanyana and team hitherto Team Uncle Money did not hesitate to take part alongside other competitors countrywide. On Friday, 12 July 2024, it was euphoric in the atmosphere at the MTN Uganda main headquarters when Team Uncle Money was declared the winner. This was after tallying a massive 44,464 votes (via online and other means), beating second placed Team Dressers (38,286 votes) and team Kamodo (25,234 votes).
“This is unbelievable” Ssewanyana sighed upon the annou.