Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Uganda) has today officially broken ground for a brand new US$8.35million (UGX 30.7billion) Manufacturing Line to bottle more.
The new bottling line at the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Uganda) Namanve site operated by Century Bottling Company will have a capacity of producing 24,000 bottles an hour, accelerating the production of natural mineral water to refresh and rehydrate Ugandans.
The US$8.35million (UGX30.7billion) investment will bring to Uganda the newest bottling line technology out of Germany, enabling the Company to innovate further for increasingly changing consumer demands
The investment is part of a US$15 Million investment plan Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has for Uganda alone in 2018.
Minister of State for Investment and Privatisation, Hon. Evelyn Anite, officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony after conducting a tour of the Namanve Plant and welcomed Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s additional investments.
She lauded Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for focusing on Uganda and spending the bulk of the US$8.35million (UGX30.7billion) within Uganda to benefit citizens and support the economy.
“Of this, I am told US$3.5million will be spent inside Uganda on civil works and construction and auxiliary services. That is a very significant amount for many reasons. First of all, that means that the bulk of the investment that we are launching today is going to be spent inside our own country and will directly benefit Ugandans. That fits well within our Buy Uganda, Build Uganda policy and I applaud you for that. Also, your investment in a new Manufacturing Line creates more jobs for very many categories of Uganda ns – which fulfills the NRM pledge to create more jobs and wealth especially for the youth of Uganda,” she said.
Ag. Managing Director, Mrs. Martha Munnu Omer assured guests of the investment commitments of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Uganda), which runs three subsidiaries bottling Coca-Cola products (Century Bottling Company), pure natural mineral water (Rwenzori Bottling Company) and recycling plastic waste taken from the environment (Plastic Recycling Industries).
“We employ about 1,800 Ugandans in our three plants in Kampala, Mukono and Mbarara, and support more than 90,000 businesses across our extensive retail distribution network. Coca-Cola Beverages Africa is proud to make these contributions on top of paying taxes to the tune of more than UGX140billion annually. We are serious about doing business in Uganda and supporting this economy,” Mrs. Omer said.
She added that the investment in the brand new US$8.35million Manufacturing Line was a strong demonstration of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Uganda`s commitment to the development of Uganda despite the tough economic conditions.
“Because of this new Manufacturing Line, our 1,800 employees and hundreds of thousands of other Ugandans involved in selling our high quality products around the country will be assured of ongoing employment because production will increase. As well, the biggest bulk of this investment will be spent inside our own country and will directly benefit Ugandans. This fits well within the “Buy Uganda, Build Uganda” policy that Government is advocating. The new will create more jobs for various categories of Ugandans – which fulfills the Government pledge to create more jobs and wealth especially for the youth. This includes employees during the construction as well as additional employees when the new line is completed. We are happy to be contributing to the development of Uganda,” she said.
CCBA management emphasized that the Company will continue to be a relevant partner with Government and called upon the officials to ensure they work to limit the challenges private sector faces in doing business.
About Coca-Cola Beverages Africa
Coca-Cola has been investing in Africa for 90 years, since 1928 and is proud to be present in every African country with over 70,000 employees across145 bottling and canning facilities. Africa has immense potential and its greatest asset is its people – it is the youngest in the world with 65% of Africans under 35. Coca-Cola Beverages Africa is the 10th largest Coca-Cola bottling partner worldwide and the biggest on the African continent, accounting for about 40% of all Coca-Cola volumes sold in Africa. We boast a diverse pan-African footprint with more than 30 bottling plants servicing over 550,000 outlets that serve a combined population of over 249 million people across the continent. We currently serve 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Ghana, Mayotte and the Comoros. Swaziland, Botswana and Zambia will be integrated into CCBA’s operations in the second phase. CCBA is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy that is aligned with The Coca-Cola Company’s 2020 Vision and will be supported through investment in manufacturing, sales, distribution and marketing. We aspire to be the BEST Coca-Cola bottler in the world and Africa’s most VALUABLE “independent” food and Beverage Company
We strive to satisfy our key stakeholders each and every day
- OUR Customers are at the centre of all our actions
- OUR Consumers’ love for our brands grows as they purchase ice-cold, quality products for every occasion at “arms’ length of desire”
- OUR Employees are highly engaged and proud to work for Coca-Cola Beverages Africa
- OUR Communities welcome us as a valuable partner and an integral part of their lives
OUR Shareholders are well rewarded over the long-term.
For more information, please contact;
Maureen Kyomuhendo
+256-772-735101
mkyomuhendo@ccbagroup.com
