UGANDA – Uganda Breweries Limited, a subsidiary of East African Breweries Limited, has commissioned a UGX 39.9 billion (US$10.73 million) production line in an effort to improve capacity and efficiency.
The new line will increase the brewer’s production capacity to 30,000 330ml Bottles Per Hour and 25,000 500ml Bottlers per hour averaging Best – in Class efficiency of 94%, UBL said in a statement.
“The new line which is manned by atleast 65% women will supplement a UGX 44.4 billion state-of-the-art bottling line that was launched in 2010 that doubled the production capacity of the beer bottling plant,” UBL said.
The commissioning was presided over by a delegation from the Ministry of Finance led by the State Minister of Finance for General Duties – Hon. Henry Musasizi assisted by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) ED Dorothy Kisaka and UBL Board Member Jimmy D. Mugerwa.
“As a 76-year business, this milestone stands as a testament to the fact that our quality Ugandan products – made from quality Ugandan inputs – are well-received in the country and the region,” said Andrew Itambo Kilonzo – UBL’s Managing Director.
“This translates into our growing impact on the lives of the over 38,000 farmers and over 200,000 farmer households that supply the raw materials that feed our production processes.”
The new line brings UBL’s total capital expenditure in Uganda to over UGX 7.8 trillion (US$2.1 billion) since the brewer commenced operations in 1946.
The investments have been critical in propelling the breweries into one of the country’s top 5 taxpayers contributing atleast UGX 430 billion (US$120 million) in taxes annually.
“As a company, we have shown our commitment to growing with Uganda through being a diligent taxpayer, employing thousands of people in transport, distribution, processing, and manufacturing and we thank your ministry and the government for creating a favourable climate for business all towards realising the immense potential that lies within Uganda,” he said.
Hon. Musasizi hailed UBL for believing in Uganda’s economic potential by increasing its investments in the country.
“Uganda Breweries and the larger hospitality industry have been instrumental in the economic recovery of the country following the COVID-19 pandemic,” Musaizi said.
“New investments like these give us more hope in the full recovery of the manufacturing sector & are evidence that the Ugandan economy is sound as evidenced by the trust and appetite of investors like these.”
Despite the increased demand for UBL’s products, the company reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a culture of responsible consumption of adult beverages.
As such, the company pledges to continue campaigns targeted at promoting moderation, dissuading drink driving in the strictest terms and also ensuring the communication of zero tolerance to underage drinking.
For all the latest food industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
