By Nicholas Kajoba
It is not business as usual as Nile Breweries has turned to searching for blood instead of beer-making ingredients, or potential customers.
On World Blood Donor Day (Tuesday, June 14), the brewery kicked off a drive to mobilise 800 units of blood over three days in Kampala, Jinja and Mbarara districts.
The Kampala locations included Nakasero markets and the New Taxi Park.
Uganda needs 400,00 units of blood annually to meet the blood needs of the country, according to the director of health and social services (Uganda Red Cross Society).
Dr. Josephine Okwera made the remarks on Tuesday during the World Blood Donor Day event held at City Square in Kampala.
She said the move by partners like Nile Breweries of joining the blood mobilisation drive reassures their commitment to partnerships that bring lasting social value for the well-being of the communities.
Onapito Ekomoloit, legal and corporate affairs director, Nile Breweries Limited, said they are committed to support life-saving and improving initiatives such as blood donations.
“We are working with the Government, law enforcement, public safety organisations, and civil society to enable a sustainable future for communities and improve their lives,” he said.
Onapito said a blood donation campaign would enable the company to draw attention to road safety during this period, since accident victims would be identified as those who need blood most.
Dr. Dorothy Kyeyune, the executive director of the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, emphasised that blood and blood products are essential resources for effective management of patients requiring special care.
“Women suffering from bleeding due to pregnancy, childbirth, patients with blood and bone marrow disorders and victims of trauma (accidents) all need blood transfusion,” she said.
