Ugandans Have the Power to Purchase – Anite

If you lived in Uganda in the early 2000s, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the famous lotion Nice & Lovely. It was one of the most renowned cosmetic products on the shelves, dominating visibility and top-of-mind awareness. Nice & Lovely was also a cultural phenomenon, inspiring two songs of the same name—one by Eagles Production singer-turned-legislator Geoffrey Lutaaya and another by the famous Eddy Kenzo.

However, over time, Nice & Lovely quietly faded from the spotlight. While it never left the market, it wasn’t as prominent as before.

But now, Nice & Lovely has officially relaunched its iconic skincare line in Uganda, unveiling a new innovation: the Nice & Lovely Lemon Extract Body Lotion. Specially formulated to brighten, hydrate, and nourish the skin of Ugandan women, the product promises to bring back the glow of its past glory.

The relaunch took place at Four Points by Sheraton in Kampala and was attended by Hon. Evelyn Anite, State Minister for Privatisation and Investment; Victoria Karanja, General Manager of L’Oréal Consumer Product Division; Mr. Anil Damani, Managing Director of Dembe Trading Enterprises; and Mr. Aditya Kumar, General Manager at Dembe Trading Enterprises.

Doreen Kathambi, Brand Business Lead at L’Oréal East Africa, introduced the new product as a luxurious, science-backed skincare solution tailored to the unique needs of East African skin. “Our research shows that 85% of African women are actively seeking products that provide long-lasting hydration and protection from environmental factors. This is our promise: to meet that need with love, care, and performance.”

In her speech, Hon. Anite highlighted how Nice & Lovely was once a staple in the market, but the purchasing power of Ugandans had decreased in the past. However, following research, the brand has now realized that Ugandans have regained their purchasing power, thanks to the improved business environment. “This is proof that the market is now safe and that Ugandans have the means to purchase such products. But our message to them is not just to come and take our money, but also to set up factories here,” she said at the launch.

The minister also expressed her satisfaction with the over 150 jobs already created by the company, helping to reduce the unemployment burden in the country.

Victoria Karanja emphasized that Nice & Lovely is not just a Kenyan product but an East African one. Acquired by L’Oréal in 2013, she noted that a lot of background work had been done before the product’s initial relaunch. “The product is 25 years old. We’ve worked hard to ensure that it’s superior. We’re excited to have a brand that we, as East Africans, can proudly say has breathed new life into the market,” she said.