The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has launched its first blood donation campaign, aiming to collect 5,000 units to help meet the growing demand for blood in health facilities nationwide.
The campaign will involve staff working at UEDCL offices and service centres across Uganda and is expected to become an annual initiative.
Speaking at the launch, UEDCL executive director Joselyne Rwabwogo said the company’s responsibility extended beyond distributing electricity to supporting the health and wellbeing of communities.
“While we remain firmly committed to distributing electricity to the population, we also believe in extending support to the people to help them enjoy better health through blood donation,” Rwabwogo said.
She noted that hospitals need blood for various emergencies and medical procedures, including road accident injuries, childbirth complications, and other health conditions.
Rwabwogo encouraged eligible staff and members of the public to participate in the campaign. She also commended the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) and the Uganda Red Cross Society for partnering with UEDCL to promote blood donation.
William Mugisha, a principal blood donation coordinator at UBTS, welcomed the initiative, describing blood donation as an act that saves lives.
“Every person who donates blood is a hero,” Mugisha said, adding that the government could not meet the country’s blood needs alone without support from private companies and other partners.
He urged Members of Parliament to use their influence to mobilise communities to donate blood, suggesting that each legislator could organise at least two donation drives annually.
Mugisha said such efforts could significantly increase blood supplies and help health facilities respond to emergencies.
Uganda Red Cross Society secretary general Robert Kwesiga said the country needed both reliable blood collection programmes and stronger preventive measures to reduce avoidable medical emergencies.
He cited road accidents, malaria and complications during pregnancy among the challenges that contribute to demand for blood.
Kwesiga encouraged companies to take blood donation closer to communities, workplaces, schools and villages, saying this approach would make collection more sustainable than relying on occasional campaigns.
He also welcomed the partnership with UEDCL, saying collaboration between government agencies, private companies and humanitarian organisations was essential to ensuring adequate blood supplies.
Evas Bazirakakye, UEDCL’s head of customer experience and campaign coordinator, said the initiative would be implemented across the company’s centres and territorial offices.
She said the company was committed to making the campaign a serious and continuing programme.
The initiative comes as health facilities continue to depend on regular blood donations to treat patients whose lives may depend on timely access to safe blood.
