Kansai Plascon Uganda donates Anti Mosquito Paint and masks to Uganda schools ahead of post-COVID-19 lockdown reopening

KAMPALA, June 12^th, 2020―Kansai Plascon Uganda, a subsidiary of Japanese paint company Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., yesterday, June 12th donated 4,000 litres of the company’s Anti Mosquito Paint to the Ministry of Education and Sports for use in schools ahead of the post-COVID-19 lockdown reopening of Uganda’s educational institutions.

Additionally, in support of the government’s fight against COVID-19, the company has also made available 20,000 face masks for teachers, as they prepare for the reopening of schools.

The donation was handed over to the Honourable Dr. John Muyingo, the Uganda State Minister for Higher Education by Mr. Mizumoto Horii, the Deputy Head of the Japanese Embassy in Uganda at a ceremony, held at the office of the Prime Minister.

The contribution, according to a media statement by the company, “is a reinforcement of Kansai Plascon’s fight against the prevalence of malaria cases in the country whilst creating a safe learning environment at local schools amidst the global pandemic.”

Jun Senoo the Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., Director and Managing Executive Officer, in the media statement, remarked: “We are fully aware of the challenges faced by Uganda and the rest of the world during these trying times and especially the impact it has on primary and secondary education. We hope that this contribution will offer pupils and teachers extra protection once they return back to the classroom.”

The Ugandan-made Anti Mosquito Paint will be distributed to Gayaza High School, Mt. St Mary’s College Namagunga, and Nabisunsa Girls School. The company aims to support the repainting of these schools within the month before their expected reopening in July.

First released in 2019 in Uganda to help the country meet its goal of eradicating malaria by 2021, Anti Mosquito Paint is an innovative product that was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health as well as other agencies and stakeholders. It is free of lead and heavy metals and is certified safe for use by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the National Drug Authority.

The Minister thanked Kansai Plascon for the contribution and said, “The safety and well-being of our children and educators are of the utmost importance as we look ahead to reopening our schools nationwide.”

The Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency Kazuaki Kameda, thanked the company and said: “Kansai Plascon’s Anti Mosquito Paint is a great example of how Japanese technology can contribute to Ugandan society and the education of its children who will be forging its future. I am pleased that the Japanese government has been able to play a role in making this happen.”