Lapaire, the Pan-African optical retail chain dedicated to providing high-quality eyewear at fair prices, has opened its 16th optical shop in Uganda in collaboration with Vivo Energy. This move is part of Lapaire’s ongoing mission to improve optical care coverage across Africa, where the World Health Organization estimates that 80% of visually impaired individuals lack adequate care. Lapaire is determined to close this gap.
Through its collaboration with Vivo Energy, Lapaire is setting up optical shops at Shell-branded petrol stations throughout Uganda, bringing eye care closer to communities. The first of these outlets is now open at Shell Kitooro on Kampala Road in Entebbe.
Roseline Kilonzo, Lapaire Group’s Marketing Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration with Vivo Energy marks a significant step in our goal of expanding access to quality eye care across Uganda. By situating our shops in high-traffic areas like Shell stations, we are making it easier for people to prioritize their vision health while going about their daily lives.”
The new Entebbe location will offer a full range of services, from free eye tests to detect vision problems and provide corrective prescriptions to stylish, high-quality eyewear, all at transparent and fair prices. The shop’s operating hours will be Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Keneth Twinamatsiko, Lapaire Uganda’s Operations Manager, highlighted the importance 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.” He said
We believe that our collaboration with Vivo Energy will not only support our 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.” He added.
Lapaire’s Communications Manager, Mr. Oliver Mwanko, emphasized the company’s dedication to accessible eye care, stating, “Our mission goes beyond simply offering eyewear. We provide a comprehensive service that includes free eye tests, flexible payment plans, and transparent pricing, ensuring that quality eye care is available and affordable for everyone.”
According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), a staggering 55 million people across Africa need glasses, yet only 1.3 million currently have access to them. This alarming statistic highlights a severe gap in optical care on the continent, leaving millions to suffer from preventable vision issues that impact their daily lives and overall well-being.
The shortage of affordable and accessible eye care services means that many individuals continue to live with impaired vision, hindering their ability to work, learn, and engage fully in their communities. Addressing this issue is critical for improving the quality of life for millions of Africans, making Lapaire’s initiatives that expand access to eyewear and optical services all the more essential.
“Many people in Uganda and Africa need glasses but remain unaware due to perceived high costs,” Oliver added.
In celebration of the grand opening, Lapaire will launch a comprehensive community outreach campaign, both online and offline, to encourage bookings for eye tests and promote eye health awareness. The campaign aims to solidify Lapaire’s role in ensuring that affordable, quality eye care is available to all.
About Lapaire
Lapaire is a pan-African eyewear company that offers people cost-effective access to high-quality eye care in Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, and Uganda.
In Uganda, Lapaire is present in Kampala, Mbarara, Jinja, Wakiso, Entebbe and Mukono. Lapaire has so far tested the vision of over 200,000 people and improved the vision of over 100,000 Africans helping them live better with care.