KAMPALA, Uganda: A total of 140 young people have graduated from Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL)’s Learning for Life program. The program has trained and equipped participants with essential business and hospitality skills, enhancing their chances of gaining employment in the hospitality industry and improving their livelihoods.
Uganda Breweries’ 2030 Sustainability Action Plan aims to promote a sustainable and inclusive world by 2030 by creating a purpose-driven business that succeeds in the long term. As part of its commitment to inclusion and diversity, the company ensures that 50% of beneficiaries from its community programs are women, and that these programs are designed to empower underrepresented groups across various communities.
Unlike previous years, greater emphasis was placed on women and people living with disabilities (PWDs). Given the existing burden of income inequality, women and PWDs continue to face numerous barriers in society, placing them at greater risk of poverty due to limited opportunities and reduced negotiating power in the job market.
In this year’s intake, Uganda Breweries trained 54 women, 70 men, and 16 persons with disabilities, bringing the total number of trainees to 140.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Sheila Sabune, the Corporate Relations Director at Uganda Breweries Limited, noted that unemployment remains a significant challenge among Uganda’s youth. She emphasized that interventions such as the Learning for Life program are necessary to equip young people with skills that enhance their employability.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics 2024 census, the overall unemployment rate stands at 12.3%. However, among youth aged 15 to 24 years, the proportion of those not in employment, education, or training (NEET) has reached 42.6%, highlighting significant underemployment and engagement in low-productivity jobs.
“Every year, about 400,000 young Ugandans enter the job market to compete for approximately 9,000 available formal jobs. About 39% of institutionally qualified youth in Uganda are unable to find employment, and the situation is even worse for semi-skilled and unskilled youth. As UBL, we strive to equip young people with marketable job skills and experience that give them an advantage over the unskilled and inexperienced. Our Diageo Bar Academy certificate, awarded to participants trained in bar skills, is recognized in many countries. This means these skills are marketable not only locally but internationally,” Sabune said.
At the ceremony, Yogi Biriggwa, President of the Uganda Tourism Association, praised Uganda Breweries and its partners for their role in empowering youth within the communities where they operate. She emphasized that investing in people is essential for growing the tourism sector, noting that the program equips 140 Ugandans with practical skills in bartending, sales, entrepreneurship, and hospitality, enabling them to serve guests with confidence and professionalism.
“This training prepares you for real jobs and real customers. It supports youth employment and business creation across the tourism value chain. When you strengthen skills, you strengthen destinations. The best way to build a competitive tourism sector is by investing in people,” Biriggwa explained.
She further stated that the hospitality industry is constantly evolving and requires individuals who are adaptable, innovative, open to new experiences, and committed to continuous learning.
About Uganda Breweries Limited
Uganda Breweries Limited is Uganda’s leading premium adult beverage company, focused on developing great brands and great people. Its key objectives are to deliver the highest-quality brands to consumers and generate long-term value for investors.
As a consumer-driven business, Uganda Breweries continuously studies the market to understand consumer needs and preferences, and to identify the best ways to meet them. This approach drives ongoing investment in innovation and renovation of its brands to keep pace with dynamic consumer trends. This aligns with the company’s ambition to be the best-performing, most trusted, and most celebrated business in Uganda.
Uganda Breweries Limited is a subsidiary of East African Breweries Limited (EABL), the region’s leading beverage alcohol company, in which Diageo is a majority shareholder. For more information, visit www.ugandabreweries.com.
