UGANDA – Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), one of leading Uganda’s breweries, in partnership with Diageo Bar Academy, will undertake a two-month training of over 2,000 individuals employed in the hospitality sector to elevate industry standards.

The training targeting both business owners and their employees, including managers, bartenders, waiters, and waitresses, will be provided under the Diageo Bar Academy.

Diageo Bar Academy is a global program that benchmarks international best practices to enhance the skills and competencies of both hospitality staff and management to drive better guest experiences.

The program covers various modules on behind-the-bar skills, including hospitality essentials; international best practices and emerging trends; improving operational efficiency, driving business profitability, etc.

In addition, UBL has partnered with Light of the World International to extend skilling and training to people living with disabilities, under the program.

Agaba Tumusiime, MBA, Reserve Brand Ambassador at Uganda Breweries Limited said: “Uganda Breweries is pleased to be playing a role towards boosting the hospitality industry by influencing better guest experiences, which will directly result in higher consumer participation and higher revenues earned by businesses and consequently the economy.”

We intend to reach over 2,000 people employed in hospitality over the next two months to deliver world-class practical and hands-on training around the country.

We seek and strive for inclusion and diversity and this program will extend training to persons with disabilities, youth, and women as we aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable world. This is in line with our parent company, Diageo’s Society 2030 agenda, which intends to sustainably make a positive contribution to the community.”

Agaba added that, through the training, UBL is providing opportunities for young people to achieve gainful employment within the hospitality industry, which was one of the highest contributors to GDP before the pandemic.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism and hospitality sector contributed 7.7% of GDP with earnings of US$1.6 billion.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the tourism and hospitality sector accounts for nearly 667,000 staff, with 90% employed in the hospitality sector and contributing 6.7% of total national employment.

As the country is currently grappling with various economic shocks that have resulted in a tough operating environment, UBL argues that supporting business growth and stimulating entrepreneurship in this highly viable sector is critical for socio-economic growth.

The World Bank details that around 700,000 young people reach the working age in the country yearly, with a projection of an average of one million rise in the numbers in the decade from 2030 to 2040.

The population has already created a mismatch between labor demand and supply.

The government of Uganda, under the National Development Plan III, is prioritizing workforce skills development to accelerate the acquisition of urgently needed skills in key growth areas, and to create a skilled, inclusive, and ethical labor force.

These efforts are expanding opportunities for the development of skills that are market driven and enterprise-driven, including in the informal sector.

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