Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has handed over its contribution of USh1.3 billion and three brand new pick-up trucks to the Ugandan Ministry of Health to fight against Covid-19 in the country.
The CCBA Regional Managing Director in charge of Uganda, Tanzania, and Ghana, Conrad van Niekerk, stated that the contributions were only the first phase of the company’s efforts against Covid-19 in Uganda. He said, ‘At [CCBA], we always look for meaningful ways in which we can contribute to the local communities we serve, whether by partnering with stakeholders such as the government and NGOs or engaging in wider community causes. Our company purpose, “Refresh the world and make a difference in the community”, is the guiding principle that drives our community outreach activities’.
He added, ‘Since the outbreak of [Covid-19] in Uganda, we have been working with the Ministry of Health to support and implement measures to curb its spread. This is an operating culture that we carry throughout our business every single day. As [CCBA], we have carried out different interventions. Apart from taking care of our staff, we have been working with different partners to support our communities in various ways’.
The Prime Minister and Chair of the National Task Force for Covid-19, Rt Hon Ruhakana Rugunda, received the contribution and commended CCBA for being a long-standing partner with the government in health causes.
The Minister in charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon Mary Karooro Okurut, received the vehicles. She thanked the company for the gesture and stated that the contribution would go a long way in enabling the frontline staff to further traverse the country, providing assistance and monitoring the spread of the virus.
Okurut said, ‘We are grateful to [CCBA] for always prioritising the wellbeing of Ugandans in the different communities across the country. A pandemic like this one calls for public-private partnerships and we have found [CCBA] to be a reliable partner’.
CCBA’s contribution towards curbing Covid-19 in Uganda also includes a consignment of food relief worth USh390 million from The Coca-Cola Foundation (CCF), distributed through the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS)to vulnerable families affected by the lockdown.
The company also donated USh85 million to the Ministry of Health to buy medical equipment and sundries. Alongside the Ministry of Health, CCBA is currently running a handwashing intervention that involves setting up handwashing facilities to increase public hygiene. So far, the company has erected four 5,000-litre community handwashing tanks in Namanve, Kyambogo, and Mbarara Central Markets. The company has also manufactured hand sanitisers that are being distributed free of charge to select segments of society across the country.
Source: Red Pepper
Photo source: Juanky Pamies Alcubilla
