TORORO – Mr. Were Yahaya, the Tororo District Resident Commissioner (RDC) has called upon the general public to work together with the respective district Covid-19 taskforce and government officials in the fight against COVID-19 in the country. These remarks were made during a brief event where Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda handed over new handwash jerrycan stations at the Tororo district offices today.
“We have been working as a team to see how we can mitigate the spread of coronavirus within Tororo and Uganda at large. As the leadership of Tororo, we have been sensitizing our communities, tracing contacts, and have even managed to treat some of the cases that have since been cured of this disease. This fight won’t stop now, let us not allow the fire to burn out,” encouraged Were.
“We will be distributing these handwash jerrycan stations to Merrikit Sub-county, some within the district and health facilities. We shall also prioritize places of worship. The only way we can prevent this pandemic is to work together as a team and sensitize the community because right now, we have so many community cases within Uganda. We should inform the public to continue adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures that the Ministry of Health passed in our respective communities. Wash your hands with clean water and soap, keep social distancing and endeavor to wear a mask while in public,” he cautioned.
As part of its support to the Ministry of Health and in fulfillment of its pledge to fights COVID-19 by improving handwashing and sanitation in public and high-risk areas, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda pledged to distribute 5,000 handwashing jerrycan stations across the country and has stayed true to that commitment. The 150 handwashing stations, 10 cartons of soda and 10 cartons of water that the company handed over to Tororo District officials brings the total number of jerrycans distributed so far to 1,750 in different parts of the country including Kampala, Mbarara, Mukono, Buikwe, Kalungu and Tororo Districts.
Tororo Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Mr. Okwir Samuel applauded the company for being invested in supporting the community and economic recovery. “We are grateful to Coca-Cola for always prioritizing the wellbeing of Ugandans in the different communities across the country. This means you love Tororo District, as well as the community. By doing this, you are supporting the community to buy your products. Once they are alive, they can buy,” he noted.
“Our commitment to the communities we serve knows no boundaries. Businesses can only thrive in a healthy environment, thus our investment in the health and safety of our people always takes priority. We are, because of the loyalty and continued support from our customers and we are linked together by similar interests to see our communities thrive and prosper,” reiterated Newton Lee Ogong, Special Events and Promotion Manager, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
“Right now, our focus is supporting the economy to recovery by doing what we can to ensure there is no second wave which could lead to another lockdown. This will tremendously affect our economy as it is now. If there is anything to pick from this pandemic, we cannot act alone. We need to continue to work together with the government, civil society organizations, NGOs, and in partnership with fellow businesses to help us emerge stronger and secure the economy,” he added further.
The handwashing stations 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.
