Nile Breweries celebrates 75 years of growing with Uganda
Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) has launched its 75th anniversary celebrations at its Jinja Brewery, highlighting its contribution to Uganda’s economy across agriculture, manufacturing, transport, distribution, retail and hospitality sectors. Under the theme “Beer and More,” the celebration honours the employees, farmers, partners and communities who have grown alongside Nile Breweries and have shaped the company since its establishment in 1951.
NBL’s beer portfolio has earned more than 75 Monde Selection awards over the years, recognising the quality of its products. The “Beer and More” theme celebrates this brewing heritage alongside the livelihoods, businesses and communities connected to the company’s operations.
“For 75 years, Nile Breweries has grown alongside Uganda and been part of the moments that bring people together. Jinja is where our journey began, but our story belongs to people across the country. The employees whose skill and commitment sustain our business, the farmers who grow our raw materials, and the suppliers, distributors and retailers who bring our brands to consumers,” said Nkanyiso Mncwabe, Managing Director, Nile Breweries Limited.
We are equally grateful to the consumers who have made our brands part of their celebrations and everyday lives. We are also celebrating nearly 30 years of backing Uganda’s sporting dreams and champions. This anniversary is an opportunity to recognise that trust, celebrate what we have built together and look ahead to the next chapter,” he added.
Today, NBL supports 25,000 Ugandan farmers through its Local Raw Material programme, sourcing barley, sorghum, cassava and maize for brewing. More than 98 per cent of its raw materials are sourced locally, with annual spending on local sourcing of more than UGX 156 billion (US$39 million). The programme provides a ready market for Ugandan barley farmers and connects farming communities to the country’s manufacturing economy.
NBL contributes over UGX 5 trillion in taxes to Uganda’s domestic revenue between 2010 and 2025, with annual tax payments estimated at more than UGX 450 billion since 2024.
As NBL marks the anniversary, water stewardship remains central to its operations and its work with communities. This includes efforts to support the restoration of River Rwizi, alongside efforts to improve water availability and quality in communities and use water more efficiently in brewing.
“100% of our communities in high-stress areas supported through our initiatives in Uganda had measurably improved water availability and quality in 2025. We improved our water use by hectoliter of production in Uganda by over 20% since 2017,” Mncwabe said.
“Water is essential to our breweries and to the communities around them. Our future depends on using it carefully and working with partners to protect the sources we share,” he added.
Looking ahead, NBL will place sustainability, innovation and greater operational efficiency at the centre of its next chapter, building on its relationships with Ugandan farmers, businesses and communities.
“Sustainability will be a bedrock of our future, alongside innovation and more efficient ways of working. We want to keep improving how we brew, respond to changing consumer needs and create opportunities for the people and businesses connected to us,” Mncwabe said.
“As we celebrate 75 years, we look ahead with pride in our history and confidence in what we can build together. The next chapter begins with the same people and partnerships that brought us this far.”