Staff
Coca-Cola Uganda has partnered with football culture platform FanBench to launch the “Essawa Yonna, Kisoboka” campaign, a new initiative aimed at celebrating Uganda’s football passion while rewarding fans with a chance to win UGX 1 million every month.
The partnership was unveiled at Motiv Bugolobi in Kampala and will combine football fandom, digital content creation and interactive fan experiences leading up to a major watch party for the highly anticipated Arsenal versus Manchester United clash on 20 December 2026.
The campaign is built around the idea that football in Uganda is more than just a sport. From packed viewing centres and family watch parties to spirited debates, celebrations and match-day rituals, football continues to unite people across the country.
Speaking at the launch, Coca-Cola Uganda Senior Marketing Manager Barry Otieno said the company wants to celebrate the unique ways Ugandans enjoy football and connect through the game.
“We are giving football fans an opportunity to celebrate their passion, share their stories and connect with other fans. Through the content challenge, we are also rewarding creativity, excitement and the strong sense of community that football creates,” he said.
At the centre of the campaign is the Essawa Yonna, Kisoboka User-Generated Content Challenge, where fans are encouraged to create and share videos or posts showcasing their football experiences. Participants must post their content publicly, tag Coca-Cola Uganda and FanBench, and use the hashtags #COCACOLAFootball, #EssaawaYonna and #CreateWithCOCACOLA to qualify.
The challenge will reward top-performing creators based on cumulative views on Instagram and TikTok, with UGX 1 million up for grabs every month.
Beyond the online competition, the partnership will introduce Bench Fridays, a series of football-themed watch parties and fan engagement events across Kampala. The gatherings will give supporters an opportunity to watch matches together, engage in football discussions and celebrate their shared love for the game.
The initiative is also part of Coca-Cola’s broader Youth Voices programme, which seeks to empower young people through creativity, self-expression and community-driven experiences.
FanBench proprietor and musician Ykee Benda, whose real name is Wycliff Tugume, hailed the partnership as a major milestone for the platform.
“We believe this collaboration will help grow FanBench into a platform with global potential while giving football fans a voice and creating memorable experiences for the football community,” he said.
The campaign will culminate in a grand football watch party at UMA Grounds on 20 December, bringing together fans, creators and football enthusiasts for a celebration of rivalry, community and the passion that makes the beautiful game special.
Through the partnership, Coca-Cola and FanBench hope to turn everyday football moments into memorable experiences while strengthening connections within Uganda’s vibrant football community.
