Coca-Cola has rewarded 26 university students for their creativity and participation in its Essawa Yona Kisoboka Content Creation Challenge, an initiative aimed at encouraging young Ugandans to explore digital storytelling and content creation.
The winners were recognised on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the Coca-Cola-sponsored Makerere Freshers’ Ball held at Makerere University’s Impis Rugby Grounds.
The event attracted thousands of students and featured performances from popular Ugandan artistes, including Winnie Nwagi, Ykee Benda and Nina Rose.
The content creation challenge invited university students to produce original digital content inspired by their English Premier League (EPL) matchday experiences, meals and Coca-Cola moments.
For the winners, the initiative provided an opportunity to showcase their creativity, gain recognition and earn cash rewards.
Benjamin Kalema, popularly known as Zoom Media, a student at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), said the challenge pushed participants to think creatively and develop unique content.
“It’s really fun and exciting because you have to be creative and unique from the rest of your friends,” he said.
Timothy Eniau, known as MUBS Bee, said he initially joined the challenge for the experience but was pleasantly surprised to emerge among the winners.
“I came for the vibe, embraced the challenge and walked away with a win,” he said.
Students from other institutions, including Kampala International University (KIU) and Kyambogo University, also participated in the competition.
Britney Melisa from KIU welcomed the opportunity, expressing hope that her participation would open doors for future collaborations with Coca-Cola.
Deborah Nakityo from Kyambogo University said winning had motivated her to continue developing her content creation skills.
Barry Otieno, Senior Marketing Manager for Coca-Cola in Uganda, congratulated the winners and encouraged them to remain consistent, innovative and committed to improving their creative work.
He also urged participants to take advantage of other opportunities available through the campaign, including the November rewards.
The initiative forms part of Coca-Cola’s broader engagement with young people, using digital platforms and lifestyle experiences to connect with their interests and passions.
Through Essawa Yona Kisoboka, participants are encouraged to create content around football, food, music, fashion, dance and entertainment.
The challenge is open to eligible Ugandan residents aged 18 and above. Participants are required to create original content, publish it on Instagram or TikTok using the official campaign hashtag and tag Coca-Cola Uganda.
According to the campaign guidelines, winners are selected based on validated leaderboard rankings. Entries are also subjected to moderation to identify fraudulent engagement and maintain fair competition.
As social media continues to create opportunities for young people to showcase their talents, initiatives such as Essawa Yona Kisoboka are providing emerging creators with platforms to develop their skills, reach wider audiences and earn recognition.
For the 26 students recognised at Makerere, the competition offered an opportunity to turn their digital creativity into tangible rewards and potential opportunities beyond campus.