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Tag: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa

  • Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Birungi Charities partner in the latest PudThruCovid Campaign outreach

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Birungi Charities partner in the latest PudThruCovid Campaign outreach

    Over 100 girls are set to benefit from an outreach organized by Birungi Charities a Non-profit organization involved in social advocacy through PadThruCovid campaign that was launched during the Covid-19 lockdown. The campaign seeks to boost menstrual hygiene of under privileged girls around the country.

    So far, the campaign has reached out to more than 800 girls in different parts of the country giving them sanitary towels and teaching them how to make re-usable sanitary towels.

    According to Esther Birungi, the Founder of Birungi Charities, the campaign was borne out of the need to support the girl child that had been affected by the pandemic.

    “I started the campaign because the pandemic was hard on the girl child, there was a time when we were locked up at home, no jobs, no money. Girls had nowhere to get money to buy sanitary towels, so we decided to do something about it. We have been carrying out fundraisers and then buying pads and taking them to these girls. We plan on reaching 100 during the outreach,” Esther Birungi, Founder.

    Areas reached so far include; Kamwokya Market women, Bwaise, Entebbe, Bushenyi, Kasese (Flood victims). Eastern Uganda; Kamuli, Kaliro, Laaku & Buikwe Districts.

    The latest outreach will be happening in Moroto District where Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda will be supporting the engagement with a consignment of drinks (10 cartons of water and 10 cartons of soda) for the participants.

    “We are a people centred company; therefore, we act in ways that improve people’s lives; from our employees to those who touch our business to the many communities we call home. Supporting women, girls and youth is among our focus areas as a company so being part of this campaign directly feeds into that. We want a better shared future for the communities we live and work in. We strive to have a positive impact in our communities, especially in times of need,” said Anita Faith Natuha, Regional Trade Marketing Representative, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has been involved in various community engagements since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

    “We call upon the general public, individuals and companies to partner with us in this worth cause. You can support the campaign in whatever capacity; finances, your time or any other means possible. When we knock, please open your doors for us,” Ms. Birungi implored. 

  • Coca-Cola Beverages Africa DistributesHandwashing Equipment to Mukono District Schools

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa DistributesHandwashing Equipment to Mukono District Schools

    Mukono; Following the re-opening of schools,Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda has today handed over 500 more handwashing jerrycans to Mukono District Municipal Council for distribution to schools to enhance handwashing practices as a method of protecting students from acquiring or spreading the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).

    The Mukono District Education Officer, Elizabeth Mbatudde, commended Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for reaching out to support the Community.


    “This contribution will help us     ensure the students observe the COVID-19 SOPs in our schools and will protect them. I am proud to note that Coca-Cola has consistently shown how much they deeply care about the well–being of our students and our institutions,” she said.

    “This donation has bridged the huge budgetary gaps that have challenged the majority of our schools since the beginning of this year and we promise to follow up on these handwashing stations to ensure that the children are putting them to good use. Your contribution is very meaningful especially during this time when resources are scarce,” she added.


    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has so far distributed 1,600 handwashing jerrycan stations in different parts of the country, including Kampala City, Mbarara, Buikwe and Kalungu.

    The handwashing jerrycans form part of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s UGX1.3billion contribution to the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health, which also includes three pick-up trucks, PPEs for health workers, and COVID-19 awareness and sensitization advertising.

    Speaking during the handover, Ms. Anita Faith Natuha the Regional Trade Marketing Representative, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda said the Company has been at the forefront of championing handwashing initiatives since March this year.

    “The health and safety of Ugandans whether at home, in school or at their places of work is one of our key priorities and we are doing our part to help prevent the further spread of the virus. We are committed to making a positive impact wherever there is need in our communities. People are always at the center of everything we do, be it our employees, trade partners or even the schools and students in our community,” she said.

    Commenting on the handover, Edna Namugalu the Head Teacher of St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School thanked Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for the donation of the much-needed facilities.

    “On behalf of the Board of Governors and the staff, I would like to thank Coca-Cola for the donation of the handwashing facilities. We had a challenge of putting the SOPs in place, but this donation has changed that. With these facilities, children will be able to wash their hands throughout the day as we continue to fight Covid-19”

    Since March, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has championing of handwashing initiatives has also included changing bottle labels to deliver the handwashing messages to the general public, and the production of Hand Sanitiser at the Company’s Rwenzori Bottling Company site in Namanve.

  • Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Boundless Minds launch Youth Mentorship program

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Boundless Minds launch Youth Mentorship program

    Kampala; Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda, in partnership with Boundless Minds today launched a virtual youth mentorship program to empower youth aged 16-20 with work–readiness skills to support their school-to-work transition.

    Dubbed ‘Elevate!’, the program is designed to fill the gap created by the closure of schools due to the Corona VirusDisease outbreak (COVID-19) which stopped students in higher institutions from continuing formal learning or receiving additional mentorship after schools closed.


    “We believe in enhancing the communities we operate in; through education, youth development, civic initiatives and other community activities. These are challenging times and we are fully committed to doing everything we can to help in all areas. In the context of covid-19 pandemic, we have new enormous challenges for our education systems and labor markets, but also a unique opportunity for structural changes between these two worlds and positive lasting effects. We are hopeful that this program will secure young people’s transition to work as it offers a comprehensive support system that guides and empowers young people on their educational and vocational pathways,” said     Melkamu Abebe, General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda.

    “Considering the inevitable changes to work, employment and entrepreneurship will need to be redefined, especially for people at entry level. There is therefore, a need to create platforms that will mitigate the situation and enable students to access mentorship support that prepares them for the world of work, during this period,” said Benjamin Rukwengye, Founder and Chief Executive of Boundless Minds

    Regarding the partnership, Rukwengye noted that this partnership amplifies their vision of preparing young people for work by increasing collaboration between institutions of learning and industry.


    “    We are honored to partner with CCBA to offer mentorship to the next generation of professionals, entrepreneurs and social justice champions – especially now, when the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education systems and is drastically changing the future of work,” he said.

    In Uganda today, there is a severe mismatch between the skills of young graduates entering the job market and the skills that employers need for today’s global workforce. An estimated 83% of the total unemployed in Uganda are youth and more than 70% of over 40,000 fresh graduates are unable to secure a job because they are unemployable. Across Africa, millions of youth lack adequate work-readiness or entrepreneurship skills and this program is one step towards reducing on the youth burden.

    Participants will be enrolled on a rolling basis, primarily using The Mentor to access content in

    Form of best practices, graphics and text. This shall be supplemented with the creation of

    Online discussion groups for on-spot learning through mentorship sessions, thematic articles and videos. The mentorship period will run for 10 weeks, with the first intake running from October to December of 2020.

    Elevate! is designed to be low-cost and low maintenance so that the youth can engage in it fully online. As part of the program, Boundless Minds will take lead in administering the training, assessments and tracking engagement and participation. The talk topics will involve employees of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, professionals and Alumni of Boundless Minds.

  • Over 2,500 benefit from Eseri Health camp

    Over 2,500 benefit from Eseri Health camp

    In celebration of a life lived well, Eseri Clinic, in Mukono, ran a week-long health fair dubbed ‘Hands and Hearts Fair’ to drive community health awareness in Mukono District.

    The ’Hands and Hearts Fair’ was organized in honor of Mrs. Christine Lubwama, who passed on earlier this year. During the week, Eseri Clinic conducted a blood donation drive that collected 150 units of blood.


    During the week, Eseri Clinic staff and volunteers     immunized children, ran HIV tests for residents, screened for Diabetes, and provided free family planning advice to more than 2,500 residents of Mukono District.

    The activities at the Eseri Clinic ‘Hands and Hearts Fair’ also included free child health check-up, blood pressure awareness eye check-ups and many other medical checks, all conducted at no cost to the participants.


    Founded in 1991     with a focus on maternal health, Eseri Clinic had only one trained midwife at the time – Mrs. Christine Lubwama, who became popularly known as “Musawo”.

    Her passion for maternal health and safe child delivery was recognized across Mukono District, drawing in families who travelled and still travel from afar to deliver their children at Eseri Clinic. Her practice became so successful that it now operates like a fully-fledged hospital offering a wide range of medical services.

    Ethel Lubwama, the Director of Eseri Clinic, said the health camp was such a successful and fitting tribute to her mother’s memory.

    “Support from the community has been overwhelming and we are grateful. We are very happy that this was possible thanks to our different partners who have supported us through this. We plan on starting monthly health outreach events in different communities,” she said.

    As part of its community outreach program, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa supported the Health camp with a consignment of drinks for the blood donors and health facilitators. The company is committed to supporting communities in order to create a shared future.

    “We strive to have a positive impact in our communities where there is need. People are always at the center of everything we do, be it our employees, community and trade partners. We pride ourselves in being able to create meaningful change within the community in whatever way we can,” said Faith Anita Natuha, Regional Trade Marketing Representative, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Uganda.

    “Health will always be a priority issue for us, we are living in unprecedented times where many people have been crippled financially, thus supporting this health camps complements on what the government is doing,” she added.

    The company has been involved in other interventions in regards to the COVID-19 outbreak. CCBA has provided several interventions including; food relief worth UGX390million from The Coca-Cola Foundation, distributed through the Uganda Red Cross Society to vulnerable families affected by the lockdown; UGX85million to the Ministry of Health to buy medical equipment and sundries; public awareness worth UGX460million and three pick-up trucks for the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Task Force. So far the total contribution during this period is UGX1.3billion.

  • Tooro Kingdom & Coca-Cola Beverages Africa join efforts to ‘Save River Mpanga’

    Tooro Kingdom & Coca-Cola Beverages Africa join efforts to ‘Save River Mpanga’

    Kampala: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda represented by Plastic Recycling industries under Rwenzori Bottling Company, today signed a conservation partnership with the Tooro Kingdom to ‘Save River Mpanga’.

    The conservation partnership, signed at the Coca-Cola Platform at the UMA Showgrounds in Lugogo, Kampala, will involve clean-up activities to rid River Mpanga of plastic waste, and mobilization and sensitization of the people of Tooro about the dangers of irresponsible waste management.

    The partnership will promote environmental conservation and protection of the 120km River Mpanga. Between October and December this year, the Kingdom of Tooro will run campaigns among residents of the best environmental practices in the community and responsible plastic waste management to promote recycling.

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has contributed UGX20million (Twenty million shillings) to fund the initiative.

    Speaking on behalf of Omukama, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV at the MOU signing, Hon. Joan Else Adyeeri, Tooro Minister of Tourism, said that His Majesty the King of Tooro was focused on the environment, youth, agriculture, tourism and, most of all, the environment.

    “He wants to see Tooro become green again, it’s not just a touch of a button, we have to work for it and he is doing it. You will find him cleaning river Mpanga, planting trees and preaching the gospel of planting trees in the kingdom,” Hon. Adyeeri said.

    “The campaign to ‘save River Mpanga’ was launched three years ago. We have done many activities among which is a fundraising dinner which was just a drop in the ocean because, if we don’t wake-up today, we are losing it. River Mpanga is important to all of us. It doesn’t serve only Coca-Cola, it supports the businesses and also provides water for domestic consumption, not only that, it boosts our tourism in Fort portal District. So it’s important that we all do our share to save River Mpanga,” she added.

    She went ahead and made a call to all Ugandans to learn to live with plastic, at the same time be cognizant of the environment. “There are many things we can learn to live with, you can also learn to live with plastics. We can’t say don’t produce plastics, but you as a citizen, what you do with that plastic matters. So what do you do with it? This is the sensitization we want to carry out so that the message is inculcated from the youngest to the oldest,” Hon. Adyeeri Implored.

    In communities all over the world, Coca-Cola has been committed to providing funding and supporting initiatives that help tackle the world’s plastic waste management problem one community at a time.  The goal? To measurably improve recycling rates and reduce recycling contamination so that we can have cleaner cities without waste.

    Mr. Melkamu Abebe, General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa entities in Uganda (Century and Rwenzori Bottling Companies), in a message delivered by Mr. Kaheru Simon, Public Affairs and Communications Director of the company said: “The solution that the kingdom came-up with captured our attention because, the kingdom has decided to do three things;one, conduct clean-up activities at River Mpanga – which involves removing all inorganic garbage from the river. That objective is in total synchronization with our objective to remove all plastic waste from the environment especially from the water,” he stated.

    The company has established a recycling plant operating in Nakawa, whose main purpose is not only to recycle plastic but also an equal system that makes people take away plastic from the environment. The Coca-Cola Company in 2018, launched an initiative dubbed ‘World Without Waste’ which includes the ambitious goal of collecting and recycling the equivalent of every bottle or can the company sells globally by 2030.

    Since launching the initiative, the company has underwritten and implemented new recycling campaigns, as well as reinvented existing ones while adhering to the values of a closed-loop circular economy: a system in which all of the plastic packaging the company produces is designed to be recycled, kept in the economy, and reused in food and beverages.

    “The other aspect is sensitization of people on proper plastic disposal- especially the river itself. This is very important to us as it creates sustainability.

    We can’t throw money at the problem but instead, we need to change the mindset of the people so that going forward, they can enjoy this refreshing drinks but bring the bottle for recycling and keep the environment clean,” he reiterated.

    Adding further, Mr. Kaheru joined in the call for all Ugandans to take care of the environment and also motioned to why this initiative benefits everyone and also brings them one step closer creating a shared future. 

    “If river Mpanga is clean, our replenishment objective as a company is met. Water is the first ingredient in most of our beverages. It’s central to the long-term success of our business and the health of our communities. We have a responsibility to respect and protect water resources. Our Mbarara plant gets its water from River Rwizi, which is connected to river Mpanga. It doesn’t matter where we conduct our river cleaning activity, our environmental conservation initiatives are aimed at making sure the water we use is clean. This is for the benefit of all Ugandans who consume quality products,” he remarked.

    The company is involved in partnerships with different entities/stakeholders such as nonprofits, governments, communities and other to achieve this goal.

  • Leveraging on partnerships for corporate Social Responsibility

    Leveraging on partnerships for corporate Social Responsibility

    Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained prominence as part of every company business strategy.

    Companies now consider it an important element in business planning and have set clear frameworks under which their CSR is implemented. Companies like MTN, Madhvani Group, and Coca-Cola have set up entire foundations to manage their CSR.

    Of late, it has become more common for companies to enter partnerships to implement CSR initiatives. This comes with many benefits but only if managed well, argued panelists at an American Chambers of Commerce (AmCham) Webinar last week, sponsored by Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

    According to Tony Otoa, Stanbic Business Incubator Executive Director, partnerships are essential because they attract more organizations to the cause because of brand affiliation. This creates more buzz and shared costs for the campaign.

    Simon Kaheru, Public Affairs and Communications Director at Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, said partnerships increase the impact of a CSR project.

    “Companies get together to make an impact in the community. You more often get into partnerships not because you want to spend less money as an individual organization, but because you want to do more. For instance, if the Rotary Club is doing something for the Mengo Blood Bank and need UGX100m, they will be happier getting that and more, so that they can do a lot more – collect more blood, reach more people and spread the message. When we go into partnerships, we ask: how many people we shall impact and how many people’s lives have we improved?” he said.

    Majestic Brands Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Kawaddwa, added that organizations normally vet their partners when implementing such projects.

    “You have to be careful who you bring on board. It’s advisable to understand whether the company you are bringing on shares the same ethical standards as you. It is not just a matter of getting the money. We must be able to share the same ethical background, part of ethics is accountability; getting back to your partners and say this is what we did,” he cautioned.

    Accountability and transparency are key in sustaining partnerships. Employees are drawn more to companies that have a good CSR track record.

    And, for large brands, it is important to show social purpose and a personal belonging to their people and communities.

    Kaheru also emphasized the importance of including the community in implementing any CSR project, as part of that accountability. He said it was not enough for Stanbic, Rotary and Coca-Cola to get together for a cause if there was no community involvement in the partnership – especially for the sustainability of the projects.  

    “In most of our undertakings as Coca-Cola, we involve community based organizations that are closer to the people on ground. There is evidence of benefit from the partners on ground, because if the people receiving don’t confirm that they actually benefited from what you have done, then you probably cheated them. If all the world sees colorful page adverts, wonderful tweets and Facebook posts with people holding dummy cheques but the person on the ground is not saying ‘yes I felt good, I received something wonderful’ then there is no clear accountability. And that’s why it’s important to always focus on the community. Prioritizing ‘people’ is extremely important,” he advised.

    Companies should avoid the bandwagon effect of jumping ontoinitiatives without proper planning. It is advisable for companies to invest in CSR research and planning. Every situation is different thus it’s important to be cognizant of context for every initiative. This will help avoid blanket solutions that are not impactful.  Most companies often fall prey to the bandwagon effect thereby investing in initiatives that have minimal impact or no impact at all.  

    CSR and innovation are key drivers of business growth and foundation of business competence. As such, companies need to do more than just tackling the normal issues. Brands should view challenges as opportunity.” I love the way companies around the world especially those with big Ad spends around CSR, they are driving more into issues of social justice,” Kawaddwa said.

    Overall, the panel agreed, CSR should be an integral part of the organisation’s business operations.

    “That way, you can comfortably refer to it as Sustainability and not CSR. It should be part of your DNA and your culture as a company and as employees of that company. At Coca-Cola a lot of our sustainability projects revolve around our business. For instance waste recycling, water replenishment and supporting women and youth in entrepreneurship,” he said.

    “But always remember: the first role and responsibility of business is to do business – do business in a fair manner that ensures you are paying your rightful dues to the government so that the government can deliver social services to the people. Weneed to ensure that the general public puts pressure on companies to do business the right way. That’s how nations grow,“ Kaheru added.

  • Mukono District Urged To Intensify Handwashing To Stop COVID-19 Community Spread

    Mukono District Urged To Intensify Handwashing To Stop COVID-19 Community Spread

    Mukono; The Mukono Principal Medical Officer has strongly urged all members of the Community to intensify hand washing efforts at a personal and household level, in order to stop the community transmission of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).

    The District PMO, Dr. Anthony Konde, highlighted that the increasing number of cases in Mukono was evidence that the public was not being serious enough in implementing measures to avoid COVID-19.

    “As you may all know, we recently registered more coronavirus cases as a district. We must intensify our community mobilization and education immediately. We will distribute the handwashing facilities for the public to use, especially to places with gatherings such as the market areas. There is a growing laxity among the public which requires intensive community mobilization,” he said.

    Dr. Konde was speaking at the Municipality Headquarters where he received a donation of handwashing jerrycans from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda (Century & Rwenzori Bottling Companies).

    He thanked the Company for supporting the call by the Ministry of Health for members of the general public to observe public hygiene and frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds each time.

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has so far distributed 1,100handwashing stations in various parts of the country including Kampala, Mbarara, Buikwe, Kalungu and now Mukono District.

    “We are very appreciative as a District for this support. Many times, doing the simple things that people consider mundane can save a lot of lives. To all Ugandans: Wash your hands all the time, I can’t emphasize that enough. If you have workers that are suspected and have the symptoms, we have facilities at the hospital where we can check them. Even the two that were confirmed in the district were at our hospital, so let’s work together to fight COVID-19 infections in our communities,” he urged.

    Since March, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has been at the forefront of championing handwashing initiatives as part of its UGX1.3billion (One Billion Three Hundred Million Shillings) contribution to the fight against COVID-19. On top of committing to establish 5,000 handwashing stations, the Company has run public awareness campaigns and re-adjusted bottle labels to deliver the handwashing message to the general public.

    At the handover ceremony, Special Events and Promotion Manager, Newton Lee Ogong, said the Company approach to managing COVID-19 is grounded on ‘People First’, covering the employees, their families, and the community at large.

    “We have always put the health, safety and security of our people first. People throughout the world have been impacted in different ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. At Coca-ColaBeverages Africa we are doing our part to help prevent the further spread of the virus, while also supporting the needs of our customers, consumers, employees and communities,” he said.

    “We are constantly monitoring the evolving situation and adapting our efforts and responses. We are working with different stakeholders at all levels; government and local NGOs to focus on recovery. We are confident that we, and the communities we proudly call home, will rebound by working together,” he reiterated.

    On the same day Coca-Cola Beverages Africa also donated 165cartons of Climb Up milk to vulnerable and single mothers in Mukono to boost their nutrition. The cartons were handed to the Uganda Red Cross Society in Mukono to distribute to the families in the community.  Coca-Cola has a long history of working with the Red Cross Community during difficult times through financial contributions, beverage donations, and by sharing marketing assets, expertise and more.

    Uganda Red Cross Society Mukono Branch Manager, Sam Mugisha, applauded the company for the support.

    “We are delighted to receive this consignment from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa during this period. We will be distributing these to vulnerable people in the community with the same efficiency we used during distribution of food relief during the lockdown,” he said.

    During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the Coca-Cola Foundation donated UGX390million in food relief to vulnerable families in Mukono District, distributed by the Uganda Red Cross Society.

    Additional interventions the company made in the COVID-19 fight included donations of UGX85million to the Ministry of Health to buy medical equipment and sundries; public awareness worth UGX460million and three pick-up trucks for the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Task Force.

  • Coca-Cola gives back to Adullam Orphanage in Mbarara District

    Coca-Cola gives back to Adullam Orphanage in Mbarara District

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda has donated a consignment of beddings to Adullam Orphanagein Mbarara in appreciation of the generosity the orphanage showed to the Company during the COVID-19 lockdown.

    Following a government directive in March that factories would only be allowed to operate if their staff lived in camps at their Plants, AdullamOrphanage offered beds and mattresses to Century Bottling Company staff in Mbarara to enable factory operations to continue.

    The Orphanage insisted on providing the support free of charge.

    Bishop Naboth Tumuhairwe, the Director of Adullam Orphanage, explained that his institution appreciated Coca-Cola for the company’s generosity and spirit of helping the community.

    “When the Company officials approached me with a request to hire our beds because schools had been closed yet the factories needed to open camps, I just gave freely. Coca-Cola have been good neighbours in our community. In my spirit I felt that, as I had received freely before, so I should give freely,” he said, during the handover in Mbarara.

    “It was a surprise to me when they contacted me again recently and then came bringing these gifts!This has brought great joy to us. Thank you, Coca-Cola, keep up the spirit of helping people, we will always pray for the company. May God bless you,” he said.

    The orphanage provided 62 beds and mattressesto the employees for the entire duration of the Lockdown Camp.

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda (Century & Rwenzori Bottling Companies) General Manager, Melkamu Abebe, said the company was deeply appreciative of the offer and had decided to be responsive.

    “Adullum Orphanage helped us move quickly into camping, and supported our continued operations. This, in turn, ensured that we could carry on with our responsibility to keep contributing to the economy by producing refreshments, paying salaries, and keeping the trade running,” Abebe said, through Mbarara Plant Manager Joackim Baluku.

    “Our focus as a company is our People and that includes our employees and their families, as well as our Community. Offering this consignment of beddings to Adullum is the least we could do to support the Orphanage and School, in return for their support to us. We are grateful to our community of people who always rise up when we need them,” he added.

    Abebe emphasized that Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s ‘People First’ policy was being reciprocated by people in the communities because it is the right attitude to take in business.

    “Being people-centered is not a business decision – it is a business imperative so the company will always find meaningful ways to contribute to the communities we serve,” he said.

    On top of the consignment of 40 mattresses and40 sets of bedsheets, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa also gave the Orphanage a set of drinks that included Climb-Up flavoured milk, made from milk from Uganda.

  • Coca-Cola Beverages Africa intensifies Hand Wash & Sanitation along High Risk Areas

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa intensifies Hand Wash & Sanitation along High Risk Areas

    Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Uganda – Century & Rwenzori Bottling Companies, has continued its drive to improve hand wash and sanitation in public, high risk areas as a way of protecting the public against the spread of COVID-19.

    In the effort, the Company has handed over 40 handwashing jerrycans to authorities in Buikwe District’s Najjembe,Namawojjolo, Ssenyi and Kiyinda areas, along the busy JinjaRoad Highway.

    This initiative is part of Coca-Cola’s commitment to support the Ministry of Health in the fight against COVID-19, with a focus on areas that are at high risk due to congestion and economic activity such as presented by cargo truck drivers coming in from other East African companies.

    General Manager Melkamu Abebe, in a message delivered by Anita Natuha, Regional Trade Marketing Representative,reiterated the company’s commitment towards efforts aimed at limiting the spread of the disease and explained why the initiative is important to the company.

    “Now more than ever, the responsibility falls on each of us to stay safe in these unprecedented times. With the lifting of the lockdown, the COVID-19 threat is very high and requires each of us to continue observing government guidelines to avoid a second lockdown. At Coca-Cola, the safety of our people comes first and we are a people–centered company which extends even to the communities we operate in. We believe that our business is as good as the community we operate in and that’s why we always seek meaningful ways to improve people’s lives,” he said.

    The areas listed are high risk areas as travelers tend to make stopovers along the highway to purchase refreshments and for rest stops. , this poses a health risks for all people in the area. The Ministry of Health recently registered some cases in these areas.  

    “Buikwe District has had a number of COVID-19 positive cases since the pandemic began, and the number has intensified in the last couple of months. This donation will help target busy areas like Namawojjolo and Najjembe where many people tend to gather or stop,” said Buikwe District Health Officer Dr. Richard Bbosa.

    Dr. Bbosa commended Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for the initiative and for placing focus on areas outside the city centrewhere the need is highest.

    Uganda has registered 1,203 cases of COVID-19 patients since the pandemic began. Of those, 547 have been cargo truck drivers, most of whom transit through Buikwe District using Jinja Road, where Namawojjolo is a popular stop over point for meals. Buikwe District, on its own, has presented 44 COVID-19 cases and is classified as a “Red” area with an intense infection rate.

    The WHO and the Ministry of Health of Uganda strongly recommend that people wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least twenty seconds every time, as an effective method to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19.

    “Let’s not ignore the guidelines that the government has issued, if we each play our part during this time, many lives will be saved. I thank Coca-Cola for taking on this initiative and more so for remembering Buikwe District as it is a supporter of the brand especially at these points of Najjembe,” remarked Mathias Kigongo, Chairman Buikwe Taskforce.

    Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, CCBA has provided several interventions including; food relief worth UGX390million from The Coca-Cola Foundation, distributed through the Uganda Red Cross Society to vulnerable families affected by the lockdown; UGX85million to the Ministry of Health to buy medical equipment and sundries; public awareness worth UGX460million and three pick-up trucks for the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Task Force. So far the total contribution during this period is UGX1.3billion.

    The company made a commitment to distribute 5,000 handwashing stations across the country and has so far set-up five (5) 5,000litre Community Handwashing Stations for the general public use in Mukono (Namanve), Kampala (Kyambogo) and Mbarara (Makenke and Municipality).

  • Stanbic Uganda, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa and Nice House of Plastics sign MOU to promote Sustainable management and recycling of plastic waste

    Stanbic Uganda, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa and Nice House of Plastics sign MOU to promote Sustainable management and recycling of plastic waste

    Stanbic Bank Uganda, Coca–Cola Beverages Africa and Nice House of Plastics have joined hands in a collaborative partnership to promote responsible use and re-cycling of plastic waste as a means of sustaining environmental protection.

    Speaking during the signing of the MoU, Stanbic Chief Executive Anne Juuko said, “This landmark partnership brings together Stanbic Bank Uganda, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Uganda, and Nice House of Plastics, with support from Kampala City Council (KCCA) in an initiative that will promote the sustainable waste management of plastics in Uganda.”

    “This is a first of its kind in the country, where private sector players will collaborate to promote sustainable recycling of plastics through an ecosystem underpinned by value addition to create end products and ultimately protect the environment,” she added.

    Stanbic’s role in the new collaboration will be in providing the necessary finance and advisory expertise to promote sustainable waste management of plastics.

    Juuko said, “As Stanbic Bank, we are proud to be the financial advisors in this initiative as it also aligns to our social, economic and environmental (SEE) priorities. Stanbic is committed to promoting sustainability through our activities and increase opportunities to deliver sustainable and impactful investment expertise to our clients.”

    In the MoU the companies agree to support waste segregation initiatives in communities and plastic collection centres to increase the volume of safely managed plastics.

    The companies will also make the necessary effort to engage plastic manufacturing companies to set up plastic collection centres in the communities as part of an extended producer responsibility to increase the amount of plastics collected and channeled to the recycling project.

    Simon Kaheru, the Public Affairs and Communications Director speaking on behalf of Mr. Melkamu Abebe, General Manager of Coca–Cola Beverages Africa entities in Uganda (Century and Rwenzori Bottling Companies) said, “I thank Stanbic Bank for bringing us together. Plastic Waste recycling is a key component of our Sustainability focus in the Coca-Cola system. As you know, we have a global initiative called ‘world without waste’ under which we commit to help collect and recycle 100% of the PET waste generated by consumers,” he said.

    “In Uganda, we run Plastic Recycling Industries, an initiative under which we fund the collection and delivery of plastic waste from the environment to our recycling plant in Kyambogo-Nakawa. There, we turn this waste into flakes that can be used to manufacture products like lumber for furniture, pavers, thermofoam for packaging and fibre,” he said.

    Mr. Abebe said the company was committed to collaborations that embed the culture of plastic waste separation and recycling and called on all Ugandans to join and support such initiatives.

    Under the MoU, CCBA’s Plastic Recycling Industries will collect and supply PET Flakes as raw materials for Nice House of Plastics to create finished products.

    Nice House of Plastics Managing Director Barbara Mulwana said the partnership will provide them with the much needed plastic raw materials which will be used in production of their products.

    “Recycled PET is one of the major raw materials that we use in our work. We have previously imported some of it and this collaboration will go a long way in solving our raw material problem and promoting a safe environment,” she said.  

    Nice House of Plastics will then use the recycled plastics that will be further modified through value-addition to create final products in form of among others; Yarn-Fibre, Wood Plastic Composite and rPET (recycled PET).

    Dr. Najib Bateganya Lukooya, the Deputy Director Environment and Public Health at the Kampala Capital City Authority thanked Stanbic Bank for the innovative approach to handling waste which will go a long way in helping KCCA in its efforts but also provide end products like manhole covers and other products which can be used by the authority and other members of the public.

    “Waste management is one of the most expensive activities for the authority. We tried to reduce the costs in 2015 by doing waste mining by removing waste that had accumulated over the years and giving it to farmers, unfortunately these failed due to huge composition of plastic waste. We are grateful for partnerships like these which will go a long way in supplementing our efforts by recycling the plastic and turning it in to useful products,” he said.

    Juuko said, “Together, we shall be creating an ecosystem that will promote the collection and recycling of plastics to save the environment as well as provide a market for valued added recycled plastics that can be used locally in the Ugandan market.”

    She said environment sustainability must remain a priority for all organisations as they shall each contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. “I’d like to urge other private sector players to join our efforts to promote recycling of plastics and be a part of the value addition ecosystem that will promote the creation of Ugandan locally made products,” she concluded.