Coca-Cola, FanBench put Shs1M up for grabs in ‘Esawa Yonna, Kisoboka’ football challenge
David GOMBE
Coca-Cola has tapped into Uganda’s football passion with a new partnership with FanBench, giving fans a chance to win UGX 1 million through the ‘Essawa Yonna, Kisoboka’ User-Generated Content (UGC) Challenge.
The partnership was officially launched on Wednesday, 12th November 2026 at Motiv, Bugolobi in Kampala, and will celebrate football rituals, fan communities, and the moments that make the beautiful game special.
At the heart of the initiative is a simple insight: for Ugandans, football is more than a game. It’s the friends and family who gather to watch, the jerseys worn with pride, the match-day meals, the debates, predictions, celebrations and rituals that come with every fixture.
Through FanBench, Coca-Cola will give fans a platform to express themselves, share their unique football experiences, and be rewarded for it.
Speaking at the launch, Barry Otieno, Senior Marketing Manager at The Coca-Cola Company in Uganda, said:
“Football is more than just a game in Uganda. It is a passion that brings people together, sparks conversations and creates a strong sense of community. Through Essawa Yonna, Kisoboka and our partnership with FanBench, we are giving football fans an opportunity to celebrate their passion, share their stories and connect with other fans and win UGX 1 million.”
How To Win UGX 1 Million
Fans are invited to create and share original videos or posts capturing their football moments match-day preparations, celebrations, watch-party experiences, debates, or unique traditions.
To enter:
1. Capture your football moment
2. Post it publicly on Instagram or TikTok
3. Tag Coca-Cola Uganda and FanBench
4. Use the hashtags *#COCACOLAFootball #EssaawaYonna #CreateWithCOCACOLA
Winners will be selected monthly through a leaderboard based on cumulative views on Instagram and TikTok, with UGX 1 million up for grabs every month.
Bench Fridays & Grand Finale
Beyond the digital challenge, the partnership will introduce Bench Fridays a series of football-themed watch-alongs and interactive fan experiences at selected venues across Kampala.
The campaign will climax on 20th December 2026 with a grand Arsenal vs Manchester United watch party at UMA Grounds.
Wycliff Tugume, popularly known as Ykee Benda and proprietor of FanBench, said:
“There could not be a better partner than Coca-Cola, which has consistently supported great ideas, particularly those driven by young people. We believe this partnership will help us grow FanBench into a platform with global potential.”
Arsenal fan Ykee Benda and Man U’s Kasuku
The initiative also forms part of Coca-Cola’s broader Youth Voices programme, which puts young people at the centre of experiences that encourage creativity, self-expression and community connection.
