Lapaire boosts eye care accessibility with new branch in Entebbe

The Pan African eyewear brand, Lapaire, on Monday opened its 16th optical store in Entebbe, aiming to improve access to eye care through a partnership with Vivo Energy.

This expansion is part of Lapaire's broader initiative to enhance optical care availability across Africa, where the World Health Organization reports that 80% of individuals with visual impairments do not receive sufficient care, a gap that Lapaire is dedicated to closing.

Through its collaboration with Vivo Energy, Lapaire plans to set up optical shops at Shell-branded gas stations throughout Uganda, making eye care more accessible to communities across the country.

Oliver Wambile, the Senior Public Relations Manager for Lapaire Uganda, stated that the Entebbe location will provide a wide array of services, including free eye examinations to identify vision issues and determine corrective prescriptions, as well as a selection of stylish, high-quality eyeglasses, all offered with transparent pricing and flexible payment plans.

During the branch opening, Keneth Twinamatsiko, the operations manager for Lapaire Uganda, emphasised the significance of making eye care more accessible in Uganda.

"In Uganda, eye care is often perceived as both expensive and difficult to access. Our goal is to bridge that gap by opening optical shops in key areas to bring quality eye care closer to the people. Lapaire is one of the few optical brands in Uganda that actively supports and runs road safety initiatives and campaigns, especially for motorists," Twinamatsiko said.

He expressed optimism that their collaboration with Vivo Energy will not only support their expansion but also help raise awareness of the importance of eye care.

"With this new shop in Entebbe, we will serve not just motorists, but the broader community in areas such as Kitooro, Katabi, Nakiwogo, Nsamizi, Lunnyo, Lugonjo and beyond." Twinamatsiko remarked.

The branch opening occurs just a few weeks before Lapaire's planned campaigns to mark Road Safety Month in November.

In Uganda, it is estimated that over 23,000 accidents occurred in 2023, with 40% of these incidents attributed to poor vision.

Roselyn Kilonzo, the marketing manager at Lapaire, stated that the collaboration with Vivo will enhance awareness among drivers about the importance of eye tests and access to eyewear to improve their vision and promote road safety.

"So we saw that there's need even for us to interact with this target audience, which are motorists, people using, you know, driving on the road or riding on the road. And where do we get them? We need to establish ourselves at places that they visit more often. That's why our partnership has come in and with, you know, Vivo Energy. That is why we are here," Kilonzo remarked.

She mentioned that the launch of the Entebbe branch will lead to the establishment of additional branches at Shell petrol stations across the country.

To commemorate the grand opening, Lapaire intends to implement a comprehensive community outreach initiative, both online and offline.

This initiative will facilitate easier booking for eye tests and promote awareness about the significance of eye health in the local community.