Kampala — Tullow Uganda has scooped the maiden East African Corporate Social Responsibility Sustainable Project Awards in a tightly contested elite category of regional corporate giants.

The awards were sponsored by Tanzanian Bank M and Dow Africa in partnership with the East African Business Council at the Southern Sun Hotel, Dar es Salaam last week.

It recognised companies engaging in projects and programmes which will outlive their business operations.

The strength in the "Tullow Kaiso-Tonya programme" submission lay in the CSR initiatives addressing issues often overlooked by policy makers.

Jimmy Kiberu, the corporate affairs manager, said Tullow had opened up roads to previously remote areas, exposing the communities to the world of commerce, supported education and upgraded a former maternity centre to a full health facility that serves communities beyond the area of oil exploration.

"It validates the fact that CSR is no longer philanthropy. It is a serious investment in responsible behaviour and it ensures a successful enterprise and shared prosperity," said Kiberu, after beating Microsoft, Unilever, Vodacom, New Forest Company and East African Breweries to the accolade.

He said winning in Tanzania means Tullow is a regional partner.

"We would like to demonstrate that the oil and gas industry can be a responsible industry," said Kiberu. Tullow has spent over sh2.7b in CSR activities from 2007 to 2009.