WHY COCA-COLA PUTS PEOPLE FIRST: Exclusive interview with Melkamu Abebe, head of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s unit in Uganda Melkamu Abebe General Manager, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda talks about his journey from graduate trainee to head the operations of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda- all in 12 years. He attributes this feat to Coca-Cola’s “One Company, One Team, One Passion” culture that engenders a people-first passion and supports all employees to be all they can be. He also shares the business’ philosophy on withstanding the negative effects of Covid-19, again by not putting the bottom line before people- employees, their families, the distribution trade, and the communities in which the company operates.