MUKONO —Following the re-opening of schools, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda has 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.
