Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) has launched its 75th anniversary celebrations at its Jinja Brewery, highlighting its contribution to Uganda’s economy through agriculture, manufacturing, transport, distribution, retail and hospitality.
Held under the theme “Beer and More,” the anniversary celebrates the employees, farmers, business partners and communities that have grown alongside the company since its establishment in 1951.
Over the years, NBL’s beer portfolio has earned more than 75 Monde Selection awards in recognition of product quality. The “Beer and More” theme reflects this brewing heritage while recognising the livelihoods, businesses and communities connected to the company’s operations across Uganda.
“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 of 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 supporting 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.
NBL currently supports approximately 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 expenditure on local sourcing exceeding shs156 billion (US$39 million).
The programme provides a ready market for Ugandan barley farmers and connects farming communities to the country’s manufacturing sector, strengthening links between agriculture and industry.
The company also highlighted its contribution to domestic revenue, reporting that it contributed more than shs 5 trillion in taxes between 2010 and 2025. Its annual tax payments have reportedly exceeded shs450 billion since 2024.
As NBL celebrates the milestone, water stewardship remains central to its operations and community engagement. The company is supporting efforts to restore River Rwizi while working to improve water availability and quality in communities and enhance water-use efficiency in its brewing operations.
Mncwabe said the company had recorded progress in its water stewardship initiatives, particularly in communities facing high water stress.
“In 2025, 100 per cent of the communities in high-stress areas supported through our initiatives in Uganda had measurably improved water availability and quality. We also improved our water-use efficiency per hectolitre of production in Uganda by more than 20 per cent since 2017,” he 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 to the future, NBL plans to prioritise sustainability, innovation and greater operational efficiency, building on its longstanding 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,” he added.
As Nile Breweries marks 75 years of operations in Uganda, its anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on its role in the country’s agricultural value chains, manufacturing sector, employment ecosystem and community development initiatives, while setting its sights on a more sustainable and innovative future.