Jinja city Christmas initiative boosted by Kakira Sugar donation

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Jinja city mayor Peter Alton Kasolo has received a consignment of goods and shillings two million from Kakira Sugar Limited (KSL), as part of the annual Mayors Christmas alms to support needy children, street children, hospital patients, orphanages and destitute families in the city.

The donation, handed over at the KSL factory on December 22, 2025, at Kakira Sugar Ltd factory, included 15 boxes of sugar each with 20kgs (300kgs) and 20 boxes of assorted Kakira sweets (100kgs).

It was presented by KSL company secretary S.K. Iyengar, director of finance Satish Sawhney and assistant general manager Dan Namakola.

This annual initiative aligns with the mayor's tradition of distributing Christmas alms during the festive season, often supplemented by contributions from industrialists and the business community.

Kakira Sugar Limited, which is part of the Madhvani Group and Uganda's leading sugar producer, has consistently supported these efforts as part of its commitment to the local community.

KSL assistant general manager Dan Namakola emphasised the company's role in fostering community spirit during the holidays.

Jinja City Mayor Alton Peter Kasolo (2nd left) receiving a sh2m dummy cheque and boxes of sugar and assorted sweets from Kakira Sugar Limited's Company Secretary S.K Iyengar (2nd right) and Kakira Sugar Limited's Director of Finance Satish Sawhney (left) while at Kakira Sugar Limited factory on Tuesday. Looking on is the Jinja City Clerk Peter Mawerere (middle) and Geoffrey Muzuusa (right) the Jinja City Community Development Officer. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

"Today we have donated a couple of items to Jinja City to be able to support our people. So, we thank you so much and we wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," Namakola said.

Namakola highlighted that Kakira Sugar Limited views itself as an integral part of the community and believes everyone should celebrate Christmas, particularly by extending support to the less privileged.

Mayor Kasolo, while accepting the donation on behalf of Jinja City residents, expressed deep gratitude to the Madhvani family and the Kakira Sugar team.

"We are here at Kakira receiving the hampers that Madhvani usually organizes for us every Christmas. The reason why he organizes this is that he has a firm belief that he has to celebrate Christmas with the people of Jinja City Council and those communities that are a bit vulnerable—Kakira being a member of the community feels it's very important to celebrate with the people," Kasolo stated.

He added that the goods along with soap and other essentials will be distributed to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, widows, and families in need.

"As a mayor, I received these goodies on behalf of my people and my team is prepared to go and distribute them to the communities, majorly the elderly, people with disabilities, widows, and those families that really need to celebrate Christmas but may not be having much," Kasolo added.

The mayor noted that the donations will benefit over 500 people across areas such as Walukuba, Mpumudde, Kateyamba, Bugembe, and other vulnerable communities.

Kasolo also called on other companies and industrialists in Jinja City to emulate Kakira's example.

"I would also call upon the other companies around the city that this is a very good practice. You could join us in the years to come so that we will come together as development partners and companies around Jinja City Council to provide to our people because we have a big population that is really not in good conditions who need to be supported during these times of Christmas," he said.

The mayor reaffirmed that the city council budgets for the activity and combines its resources with donations to ensure broader reach.