Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) has launched East African Breweries Limited (EABL) Sustainability Report highlighting different interventions that the brewery is undertaking to for betterment of the community.
The report shows various efforts made by UBL under three pillars, that is to say; Positive Drinking; Inclusion and Diversity and Inclusive Communities; and Preserving Water for Life, Accelerating to a Low Carbon World and Becoming Sustainable by Design.
The report is the result of two years of study and design under Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress, a 10-year action plan to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world while also contributing positively to the communities in which the business operates.
Speaking at the Launch, Florence Adongo, Director of Water Resources Management who represented the Minister of Water and the Environment Sam Cheptoris said:”This report shows that UBL and EABL will increase output without significantly reducing natural productive capacities, which is a step forward in making Uganda’s Green Growth Development Strategy a reality. Uganda Breweries Limited is the lead private sector partner of the Ministry of Water and Environment in several angles of ministry interventions.”
She applauded UBL for taking the direction of development and business growth without depleting the natural resources on which we depend on.
UBL, which is celebrating 75 years of consistent operations in Uganda this year, has invested over Shs 4 billion in projects that have improved access to potable water for over 2 million people all over the country.
Eng. Ronald Balimwezo, the MP for Nakawa East appreciated UBL for the various people-centred interventions over the years. ”I want to appreciate you because I remember when I had just become mayor, I visited you and found a state of the art Effluent Treatment Plant, which is the best in the country. How I wish others would emulate you.” he said
Nakawa East MP Eng. Ronald Balimwezo commended UBL for their involvement in providing clean and safe water to the people of the communities in which they operate.
“I have known UBL for a very long time as one of the biggest tax payers in the country. I want to thank them for observing sustainable development goal six in all their business activities. They have ensured access to clean water & sanitation which is a critical issue that needs a lot of attention,” Balimwezo said.
In 2015, UBL unveiled a Shs 20 billion water treatment plant to ensure that water flowing from the brewery is safer and cleaner than it was when extracted from Lake Victoria. This is in addition to a Shs 14 billion in a water recovery plant to reduce water usage by reducing the volume of water extracted from Lake Victoria, through which 395,000 m3 of water is saved annually.
Alvin Mbugua, UBL’s outgoing Managing Director, said, “We want to continue to be a positive example within Uganda, the region, and the world. We hold ourselves accountable to the communities in which we operate and strive to ensure that as we grow, so do they. We believe that this is not just the right way to do business, it is the only way.”
“As a business, we believe in drinking better as opposed to drinking more. Responsible drinking is at the core of our activities. We know that this is beyond just business; we have to grow with the communities in which we operate” Alvin said
“Notwithstanding the pressures of COVID-19, we have worked hard to develop our first sustainability report. This report allows us to be transparent with our targets, as well as share all of the incredible work being done across the board.” he said
Jane Karuku, Group Managing Director and CEO of East African Breweries Limited (EABL) said; “At EABL, we recognize that we are in a unique position to respond to global and regional challenges faced by our communities every day. We continuously work towards ensuring that the core objectives of sustainability are well integrated into our business model.”
“Over 5,000 bartenders have received exceptional training through our Diageo Bar Academy, 66% of which are women. Through the academy, we empower our bartenders with bar skills, bar management, brand knowledge, hygiene and safety.” Karuku said.
“The past year has been a difficult one as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic. To support our communities, we raised US$5 million to directly support our bars & restaurants negatively impacted by the pandemic.” she said
She applauded the staff-driven program E-Green Team that focuses on environmental conservation and restoration through tree planting. This group has planted millions of trees.
