Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Uganda will once again participate in the annual MTN Kampala Marathon through its brand, Rwenzori Mineral Water.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa confirmed participation with a cheque handover of Ushs 150 Million at the Rwenzori Water Bottling Plant premises in Namanve Industrial Area this morning.
Handing over the Company`s contribution to positive social change within communities in Uganda, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Directors said the company was committed to improving Uganda through its regular business operations and partnering with causes like the MTN Marathon.
“It is a pleasure to be here today as we once again handover our sponsorship package to the MTN Marathon. Our relationship with MTN and this prestigious marathon dates back many years. This is mainly because of the value that we attach to this marathon and to the thousands of Ugandans who have benefited from the different causes over the years,” said CCBA Commercial Director Patrick Oyuru.
CCBA Public Affairs and Communications Director Simon Kaheru said Rwenzori Water was an appropriate flagship brand for the MTN Marathon because of its refreshing qualities, and its acceptance across the country regardless of faith or culture.
“Our heritage in Uganda is not just pegged to being a symbol of refreshing hydration; it also includes decades of humanitarian causes either initiated or sponsored by us. It is therefore natural for Rwenzori Water to be part of the MTN Marathon – which brings together people from different nationalities, with different beliefs and speaking different languages, all for one common goal – to give back and improve the lives of those in less privileged communities.”
Kaheru advised the runners to ensure that during and after the MTN Marathon they discard the plastic bottles carefully to enable recycling at the Plastic Recycling Industries, another subsidiary of the Coca Cola Beverages Africa Group.
“The PRI is one way we give back to the Community by removing used plastics from the environment, therefore limiting environmental hazards; but on top of that we recycle these plastics and export plastic flakes, thus bringing in foreign exchange through exports, and also provide a raw material for increased local manufacturing – which creates employment,” he said.
CCBA will deploy plastic collection points along the MTN Marathon route in order to limit the wrongful disposal of used plastic water bottles by the thousands of people who will be participating.
Kaheru said that the PRI collects and recycles more plastics than the quantity put onto the market by Coca Cola Beverages Africa, including Rwenzori Bottling products.
“If all Ugandans join hands in limiting environmental damage by collecting plastics for recycling then we will have an even bigger positive impact in Uganda. The MTN Marathon is giving us another opportunity to demonstrate this, even as we run together for other causes,” he added.
This year, Coca-Cola`s contribution will go towards improving maternal health through providing better facilities in Kiswa and Komamboga health centres.
Oyuru said Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Uganda was proud of creating impactful partnerships which ultimately benefit the entire country, and pledged continued support for the MTN Marathon.
MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Prentout welcomed CCBA’s sponsorship of the MTN Kampala Marathon. ““We are delighted that our partners are keeping their promises and embracing our vision. As always, all proceeds from the Marathon will go to charity and we are proud that our partners show confidence in our ability to ensure that the runners support the charity of their choice. We welcome the Coca Cola Beverages Africa contribution through Rwenzori Water. We are proud to enjoy such a strong partnership with Rwenzori Mineral Water. To rally behind initiatives to cause a better standard of life for our customers and Ugandans at large is what true corporate social responsibility is.”
Adding, “The marathon this year will have runners choose whether to run for improving maternal health or to prevent exposure of our school children to cancer causing agents present in asbestos roofing materials in over 20 Kampala school. We pledge a flawless event to enable you represent your cause.”
Senior Manager Corporate Affairs, Justina Ntabgoba said, “Hydration is critical during the marathon and as a daily health regimen. Rwenzori Mineral Water’s timely sponsorship of the MTN Kampala Marathon will ensure that more than 20,000 runners are adequately refreshed as they run to represent their cause this year. We look forward to your participation at the marathon this November 19th.”