Kampala — Century Bottling Company, the makers of Coca Cola have returned its Dasani bottled mineral water onto the market setting the stage for tough competition within the industry.

The product's return follows the completion of a Shs30 billion ($15 million) water, soda and fruit juice plant at the company's Namanve branch in Mukono district this year.

Dasani was returned on the Ugandan market shelves for the second time on Thursday, two years after it hit the market.

"Dasani was withdrawn from the market because, it was not making economic sense," Maggie Kigozi the brand manager CBC East and Central Africa told journalists in Mukono.

Initially, the bottled water was imported from Kenya then sold to Ugandan consumers according to Ms Kigozi. "Now we are going to drink water made in Uganda."

The importation of the product from Kenya meant that the company had to incur import taxes and high transportation costs to sell the water locally.

But with the new factory, the company will cut back on costs to favourably compete with other bottled water producers.

Shortage elimination

Mr Moses Mbubi Witta, the CBC human resource manager said the plant will boost the Dasani supply chain by eliminating shortages that were previously faced when the company imported the product.

In the same business are companies like; Rwenzori which was recently acquired by South African Breweries (SAB Millers), Crown Beverages with Peak mineral water, Wavah Water and Aqua Sipi among others.

To secure a share of the competitive market, CBC is positioning Dasani as a "premium brand" charging Shs600 for each 500ml bottle compared to the Shs500 that is charged by competitors for the same quantity.

"A lot of technology and resources have gone into this product," Ms Kigozi said to justify the price.