EAC 

Saturday, June 21, 2014 

Superbrands dared on quality

Members of the companies that were named as Superbrands in the region pose for a group photo at Serena hotel in Kampala

Kampala, Uganda – The vice president of Uganda Edward Ssekandi has advised entrepreneurs in East Africa to ensure that they put quality of goods and services on the market to remain competitive; he was speaking at the event where Superbrands East Africa recognized 86 top brands.

The vice president also mentioned that government is committed to reduce the cost of doing business through infrastructure development to facilitate trade in the region. 

“I urge you to ensure the quality of goods you put on the market. Our products can only compete if they are of the right quality,” Ssekandi said. 

“Government will continue to recognize, promote and support business innovation and ingenuity in an increasingly competitive business and economic environment. Our focus will be on interlinked actions that reduce the cost of doing business so that all sizes of companies thrive,” he added. 

The vice president also noted that the concept of building a brand and packaging is a new one to companies in Uganda. 

He observed that Uganda and East Africa need people who can deliver depending on the demands of the global trends. 

The minister for finance Maria Kiwanuka noted that it is important for brands across the region to embrace the principles of becoming globally competitive. 

Oliver Lalani the executive director of Roofings said that a great brand comes with a responsibility and that firms should remain consistent in offering quality.

It should be an ethical and sustainable practice, Lalani said.

Jaffer Jawad, the Superbrands East Africa Project Director in an earlier interview with EABW said that the subject of branding is important for East African to grasp.

“We need to believe in ourselves. You need to tell the world who you are. Companies need to brand,” Jaffer stated. 

Kenya emerged with the lions share after the region’s biggest economy had the highest number of companies being recognized as East Africa’s Superbrands at an event held in Kampala last week. 

None of the 86 companies named as Superbrands in the region came from Rwanda and Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania in that order trailed against Kenya. 

Pepsi a product of Crown Beverages, Airtel, NSSF Uganda, Britam, APA Insurance, Roofings were some the top Superbrands that were recognized.

Superbrands East Africa, an affiliate of London based Superbrands UK, the world’s largest independent arbiter of branding, has been examining and celebrating the world’s brands since 1995.

lay the page.

By Baz Waiswa, Saturday, June 21st, 2014