Minister Anite joins UTL blood donation week

Jun 19, 2017

Every year, Uganda seeks about 250,000 units of blood through blood donation drives

The second edition annual Uganda Telecom Limited week-long blood donation drive kicked off Monday in high gear as tens turned out for the noble cause which was officially launched by State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite.

The exercise that is in partnership with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services is to be held at the Constitutional Square in Kampala up to Wednesday this week, then move to Queens' Way, Entebbe Road from Thursday to Saturday starting 8:00am to 5:00pm daily.

Speaking at the launch, Anite praised UTL for taking the lead in spearheading such initiatives.

"I am glad to officially launch this blood donation drive and call upon everyone to join us as we donate blood and save lives. I hope UTL will organize more of such activities and I pledge to render my support in all ways possible.

webaze nite head of customer services ackie ihuguru and back office service manager ine acheal look on while ichael ukundane of ganda lood ransfusion ervices delivers his remarks on the first day of the drive

L-R: Twebaze, Anite, head of customer services, Jackie Kihuguru and back office service manager, Aine Racheal, look on while Michael Mukundane of Uganda Blood Transfusion Services delivers his remarks on the first day of the drive.

I also call upon other companies to follow UTL's example and engage in activities that are communally benefiting to all," Anite remarked.

After receiving the Minister, Bemanya Twebaze, the administrator, Uganda Telecom in his speech thanked the minister for being a part of the drive and promised that through UTL's CSR department, more of such activities will be held.

"I thank the honourable minister for taking time off her busy schedule to be a part of this initiative. I have a vibrant and dedicated staff at UTL and we are working together to ensure that such activities are continuous" he said.

"We want to impact the lives of a large number of people, not just in Kampala, but countrywide. This blood donation drive is just one of the many CSR activities that we have planned" Bemanya added.

Every year, Uganda seeks about 250,000 units of blood through blood donation drives.

However, Uganda Blood Transfusion Services is only able to collect up to 200,000 units annually of which almost 60% of this goes to children, pregnant mothers, cancer patients, sicklers, accident victims, people requiring surgical procedures and those living with HIV/AIDS.