Coca-Cola has rewarded 26 university students for their creativity in digital content production, as the beverage company expands efforts to create earning opportunities for young people through social media.
The students were recognised on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the Coca-Cola-sponsored Makerere University Freshers’ Ball held at Impis Rugby Grounds.
The awards followed the month-long Essawa Yona Kisoboka Coca-Cola Content Creation Challenge, which invited university students to produce original digital content inspired by their interests, including football, music, fashion, food, dance and entertainment.
Among the winners were Kalema Benjamin, popularly known as Zoom Media, from Makerere University Business School (MUBS); Timothy Eniau, also known as MUBS Bee; Britney Melisa from Kampala International University; and Nakityo Deborah from Kyambogo University.
The winners received cash prizes in recognition of their participation and creative output during the campaign.
The initiative is part of Coca-Cola’s broader Essawa Yona Kisoboka campaign, which seeks to encourage young people to pursue their passions while exploring opportunities to earn from their creativity.
Participants were challenged to create content around their English Premier League (EPL) matchday experiences, meals and Coca-Cola moments, using their preferred creative styles and social media platforms.
Britney Melisa said she was surprised and excited to emerge among the winners, describing the campaign as an opportunity to gain recognition and potentially establish further partnerships.
“I am really grateful for the opportunity Coca-Cola gave us as young content creators. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to be among the winners. I am really happy and hope to work with Coca-Cola in its upcoming campaigns,” she said.
Nakityo Deborah described the competition as an opportunity to develop her skills, experiment with content creation and showcase her creativity.
“I am finding the content creation challenge exciting, inspiring and a great opportunity to learn, grow and showcase my creativity. Being selected as a winner makes me feel incredibly happy, honoured and motivated to keep pushing my limits,” she said.
Barry Otieno, Coca-Cola Uganda’s Senior Marketing Manager, congratulated the winners and encouraged them to remain consistent and innovative in their content production.
He also urged young creators to continue participating in the campaign, pointing to further opportunities to win prizes in November.
The challenge reflects the growing role of social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram in providing young people with avenues to showcase their talents, build audiences and access commercial opportunities.
Under the campaign, Ugandan residents aged 18 and above can participate by purchasing Coca-Cola products, creating original content featuring their EPL matchday, meal and Coca-Cola experiences, scanning the QR code on participating packs and posting their videos on Instagram or TikTok.
Participants are required to use the campaign hashtag and tag Coca-Cola Uganda. Multiple entries are allowed during the campaign period, with winners determined through validated leaderboard rankings.
The initiative comes amid growing interest in digital content creation among university students, many of whom are using online platforms to build personal brands, showcase artistic abilities and explore alternative sources of income.
For Coca-Cola, the campaign provides an opportunity to engage young consumers through activities built around their interests while rewarding those who turn their experiences into original digital content.