Sanlam covers Team Uganda for the 2024 Paris Olympics

Uganda’s team to this year’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games will travel and compete without worries after the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) secured travel insurance for the whole team.

On Thursday, UOC unveiled Sanlam Insurance as the official travel insurance partner for the team that is anticipated to have 65 participants (37 athletes and 28 officials), pending the closure of the qualification window at the end of this month.

The comprehensive travel insurance package is based on the long-term relationship between Sanlam and Team Uganda, having supported the team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Sanlam General Manager-Commercial Business Deborah Mwesigwa (center) signs the sponsorship agreement with UOC president Donald Rukare (right) as UOC vice president Moses Mwase (left) looks on. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Sanlam’s Deborah Mwesigwa, the General Manager-Commercial Business, unveiled the cover per person amounting to $1 million (sh28m) each.

The insurance package will cover a range of risks, including emergency and pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 illness, theft or loss of property, accidental injury during travel, and any other related incidents that may occur during the team’s stay in Paris.

“Besides insurance, we are also passionate about sports because we promote it because it has a fundamental role in promoting nationalism, teamwork, unity, health, and lifestyle,” Mwesigwa said.

She said the package covers medical, which is the highlight, emergencies, journey curtailments and cancellations if you are delayed, and loss of luggage. She commended UOC as a partner that has brought back results.

Sanlam General Manager-Commercial Business Deborah Mwesigwa (centre) presents a dummy cheque to signify their sponsorship to Team Uganda to UOC president Donald Rukare (right), General Secretary Beatrice Ayikoru (2nd right) as the Head of Marketing and Channel Development Donato Laboke (left) and UOC vice president Moses Mwase (2nd left) look on. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“The cover is top notch in travel and has a lot of benefits, but those are the items that might directly impact the travellers,” Mwesigwa noted after she signed the agreement with UOC President Donald Rukare, Chef de Mission Moses Mwase, and UOC General Secretary Beatrice Ayikoru.

She said the partnership was aimed at boosting the team, and competitive spirit and also promoting confidence, which Sanlam stands for.

Rukare thanked Sanlam for walking the journey with Team Uganda noting that managing risk was a critical issue for medical, theft, travel, and others.

“On behalf of the UOC, we value the relationship and support, because it complements what is being provided for by the local organising committee and the International Olympic Committee,” Rukare said.

“We believe that by partnering with you we are partnering with a reputable and credible organisation. We look forward to our team and we are hoping the rugby team can also qualify so that we can have a solid team,”

He asked the sponsors to consider supporting the local events as well.

Uganda has so far qualified athletes in athletics, swimming, rowing, and cycling. Uganda’s rugby 7s men and women teams have the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco, June 21–23, as the last qualification chance for teams to earn a place at the Olympics.

Uganda will be among the 206 countries and territories that will participate in the games which will attract over 15,000 athletes who will be watched by over four billion people on various media from all over the world.