Coca-Cola Uganda has partnered with FanBench to launch a new football-focused campaign aimed at celebrating the country’s vibrant football culture while rewarding fans for sharing their passion online.
The partnership, unveiled during a launch event at Motiv Bugolobi in Kampala, forms part of Coca-Cola’s “Essawa Yonna, Kisoboka” campaign. It seeks to bring football lovers together through digital content, fan experiences and community engagements, all leading up to a major watch party for the highly anticipated Arsenal versus Manchester United clash on 20 December 2026 at UMA Grounds.
The initiative is built around a simple reality: football is more than just a sport in Uganda. For many fans, it represents a way of life, bringing together friends, families and communities through match-day traditions, spirited debates, celebrations and shared experiences.
Speaking at the launch, Coca-Cola Uganda Senior Marketing Manager Barry Otieno said football plays a unique role in connecting people and creating memorable moments.
He noted that through the partnership with FanBench, Coca-Cola aims to give football enthusiasts a platform to share their stories, showcase their creativity and connect with fellow supporters while enjoying opportunities to win exciting rewards.
A key highlight of the campaign is the Essawa Yonna, Kisoboka User-Generated Content (UGC) Challenge, which invites football fans to create and post content showcasing their favourite football moments.
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Participants can share videos or posts featuring their match-day rituals, celebrations, predictions, watch-party experiences or football discussions. To enter, fans must post their content publicly on social media, tag Coca-Cola Uganda and FanBench, and include the hashtags #COCACOLAFootball, #EssaawaYonna and #CreateWithCOCACOLA.
The campaign offers UGX 1 million in monthly rewards, with winners determined through a leaderboard based on cumulative views generated on Instagram and TikTok.
Beyond the online challenge, Coca-Cola and FanBench will also introduce Bench Fridays, a series of football watch-alongs and fan engagement events that will be hosted at various venues across Kampala. The experiences are expected to bring supporters together for match screenings, football discussions, friendly rivalries and interactive activities.
The programme is also part of Coca-Cola’s broader Youth Voices initiative, which focuses on empowering young people through platforms that encourage self-expression, creativity and community participation.
FanBench founder and musician Ykee Benda, whose real name is Wycliff Tugume, welcomed the partnership, describing it as an opportunity to expand the football community platform and create memorable experiences for fans.
He said the collaboration will help grow FanBench while giving football supporters a stronger voice and a space to celebrate their shared love of the game.
As the campaign gains momentum, both Coca-Cola and FanBench hope to inspire thousands of Ugandan football enthusiasts to showcase their passion, connect with fellow fans and turn everyday football moments into rewarding experiences. The journey will culminate in December with a grand watch party expected to bring together some of the country’s most passionate football supporters.
