Paints company, Kansai Plascon on Saturday, May 20, hosted their dealers to a sumptuous dinner held at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

The dealer’s dinner is held annually to thank its dealers countrywide for their continued support and growth of the Plascon brand.

Mr. Santosh Gumte, the company Managing Director elaborated on the numerous wins that the business made during the last year.

He said due to the combined efforts of the business and its partners, they now control 75 per cent of the market share.

He further stated that every year Plascon understands the needs of our consumers and is constantly innovating products that meet these needs such as window putty wood care exterior and the archi-texture range among others.

“The Dealer’s Dinner is an occasion we eagerly look forward to every year, as it allows us to express our deep gratitude to our dealers. Their unwavering dedication and hard work are instrumental in driving the growth of our company and strengthening the Plascon brand in Uganda,” Mr. Gumte said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to excellence and its vision for the future.

“At Kansai Plascon, we strive for excellence in every aspect of our business. Our success would not have been possible without the relentless efforts and support of our dealers, who have helped us become the leading paint manufacturer in Uganda. Together, we will continue to build on this strong foundation and explore new horizons of growth and innovation.”

Mr. Daniel Adrian Kayongo, the Plascon Brand Manager in Uganda said dealers play a crucial role in establishing the Plascon brand in the country.

“The Dealer’s Dinner was a memorable evening filled with gratitude and appreciation. Our dealers have been our trusted partners, actively promoting and delivering our high-quality paint products to customers across Uganda. Their dedication and belief in the Plascon brand have been instrumental in our success.”

In addition to the festivities, the Dealer’s Dinner featured captivating entertainment from the renowned Ndere Dance Troupe, the talented Michael Ouma, and a spectacular fashion show. These performances added an extra layer of excitement and showcased the rich colours and artistic talent of Uganda.

 dfcu Bank, a leading financial institution, has reaffirmed its dedication to promoting financial empowerment and inclusion through its active participation in the ‘2023 Savings Challenge’ campaign. Yesterday, Charles M. Mudiwa, the Bank’s CEO, received the ‘Giant Savings Box’ at dfcu Towers, Nakasero, during an engagement with representatives from Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA), Bank of Uganda, and Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) – the visionary pioneers behind this initiative.

The one-year Savings Challenge, scheduled to run until October 31, 2023, aims to empower individuals across Uganda to start small, save consistently, and grow their money to achieve specific goals. Aligned with the theme of the 2022 World Savings Day, “Start Small, Grow Big; Be Green Smart,” this challenge emphasizes the significance of making sustainable financial decisions.

For the next few days, dfcu’s staff and customers will be encouraged to contribute to the Giant Savings Box which will be stationed at the Banking hall in our Kyadondo Road Branch and be on rotation to a number of our Branches to drive up our overall collections. 

During the event, Jude Kansiime, Head Marketing at dfcu Bank, highlighted the transformative impact initiatives like the Savings Challenge have on reshaping communities’ perspectives on saving money.

Goretti Masadde, CEO of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services, expressed gratitude to dfcu Bank for its participation in the Savings Challenge. Masadde acknowledged the opportunity to enhance financial awareness and capability, particularly given the financial shocks caused by the COVID pandemic. She stated, “With the participation of approximately 35 organizations, the Savings Challenge has already collected over UGX 10,000,000; marking a promising start towards achieving the initiative’s objectives.”

Charles M. Mudiwa, CEO & Managing Director of dfcu Bank, conveyed heartfelt appreciation to UIBFS and other financial sector stakeholders for spearheading an initiative aimed at cultivating a savings culture among the citizens of Uganda. Mudiwa emphasized that dfcu Bank’s mission of transforming lives and businesses is deeply rooted in the importance of savings. He expressed concern about the prevailing inclination towards instant gratification, which often hinders individuals from fully embracing the rewarding journey of saving.

Mudiwa further commented, “As a responsible financial institution, dfcu Bank recognizes our role as stewards of the world for future generations. We understand the importance of considering the long-term implications of our financial decisions. Through initiatives like the Savings Challenge, we aim to foster a sustainable approach to saving and investing, empowering individuals to make wise choices that not only benefit their own financial well-being but also contribute to a greener and more prosperous future for all.”

Tilda Nabbanja Turyagyenda, Team Leader of Financial Literacy at the Bank of Uganda, and Tibbs Orikiriza, UMRA Manager for SACCOs, acknowledged the challenges of saving while emphasizing the profound impact that small, intentional actions can have on our financial well-being. They emphasized the importance of taking gradual steps in the right direction, highlighting that even modest efforts can lead to significant improvements in our financial lives.

As part of the competition, participating savers are required to share a 30-second video clip or a captioned image of their experience on popular social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, using the hashtags #BOU, #UIBFS, #UBA, #dfcuBank, and #SavingsChallenge. A panel of three to five esteemed members will review and select the best stories and top savers, who will be awarded monthly prizes, culminating in the World Savings Day Convention on October 31, 2023.

dfcu Bank encourages its customers to participate in the challenge by saving in savings accounts, Investment Clubs/ SACCOs, mobile money accounts, or using a savings box/piggy bank and subsequently depositing the funds at the Bank.

To participate in the ‘2023 Savings Challenge,’ dfcu Bank customers can register by accessing forms at any branch nationwide, or by visiting the UIBFS Website ( www.uibfs.or.ug ) and yourmoneycan portal ( www.yourmoneycan.or.ug ) to fill out an online Savings Challenge registration form.

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM), is an annual travel and tourism event held in Dubai to give inbound and outbound tourism professionals in the Middle East a platform and provide information on travel destinations, lodging options, tourist attractions, and the aviation industry in the region and worldwide.

The ATM this year, tagged “Working Toward Net Zero,” convened from May 1–4 at the Dubai World Trade Center for its 30th Edition. It focused on sustainable tourism and coincided with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability. Like previous years, Africa made a grand appearance; with countries like South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Seychelles in attendance, just to mention a few. Their colorful stands not only showcased their culture but also showed the world that Africa is ripe and ready for tourists.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) pulled up an outstanding performance at this edition; further solidifying Dubai’s position as one of the foremost tourist destinations in the world. DET won the “Best Stand for Doing Business” Award for its outstanding three-story exhibition area. The judges at the ATM presented DET with the award and cited the stand’s welcoming ambiance, comfortable seating, spacious layout, and outstanding hospitality.

Additionally, DET organized the largest ATM Hosted Buyers Program to highlight Dubai’s exceptional hospitality and wide range of offerings. 450 purchasers, spanning all areas, participated in the program this year, setting a record-high number from 31 different markets and countries.

DET also hosted some top Media professionals from across Africa to not only witness the ATM but also experience the glamor of Dubai. This media FAM Trip had media representatives from Uganda, Ghana, Angola, D.R. Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola, and South Africa. Following the strong performance of its tourism industry in Q1 2023, which saw Dubai welcome 4.67 million international overnight visitors from January to March, compared to 3.97 million tourists during the same period in 2022, a 17% YoY growth and achieving 98% of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2023, the city’s participation at ATM 2023 was successful. This has made Dubai the fastest-recovering destination globally.