Nile Breweries Celebrates 75 Years of Growing with Uganda

October 14, 2026 in Companies, Land & Agriculture by Editor

Nile Breweries is celebrating 75 years in Uganda, with local sourcing from 25,000 farmers, tax contributions exceeding UGX5 trillion since 2010 and water stewardship among the key elements of its economic footprint.

 

Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), one of Uganda’s enduring beverage companies, this week kicked off month-long celebrations to mark 75 years since it served its first glass of lager, reflecting on its evolution from a small brewery on the banks of the River Nile into a business whose supply chains now span agriculture, manufacturing, transport, distribution and hospitality.

The company which now operates two breweries, launched its anniversary celebrations at its Jinja Brewery under the theme “Beer and More,” reflecting on its history since 1951 and its links to farmers, employees, suppliers, retailers and consumers across the country.

A key part of that economic footprint is its local raw material programme, which supports about 25,000 Ugandan farmers growing barley, sorghum, cassava and maize for brewing.

NBL says more than 98 percent of its raw materials are sourced locally, with annual expenditure on local sourcing exceeding UGX156 billion. The programme gives participating farmers access to an industrial market while linking agricultural production to Uganda’s manufacturing sector.

“For 75 years, Nile Breweries has grown alongside Uganda and been part of the moments that bring people together,” said Managing Director Nkanyiso Mncwabe.

“Jinja is where our journey began, but our story belongs to people across the country,” he added, citing the employees, farmers, suppliers, distributors and retailers connected to the business.

The anniversary also highlights the company’s contribution to public revenue. NBL says it paid more than UGX5 trillion in taxes between 2010 and 2025, with annual tax payments estimated at over UGX450 billion since 2024.

Its operations support a wider commercial network that includes agricultural suppliers, transporters, distributors, retailers and hospitality businesses. The company also says its beer portfolio has received more than 75 Monde Selection awards over the years.

NBL’s involvement in sport is another part of its history, with the company citing nearly 30 years of support for Uganda’s sporting ambitions.

The anniversary comes as manufacturers face growing pressure to improve resource efficiency and demonstrate the wider economic value of their operations. For Nile Breweries, water stewardship is a central part of that agenda.

The company says all communities in high-water-stress areas supported through its initiatives in Uganda recorded measurable improvements in water availability and quality in 2025. It also reports that water use per hectolitre of production has declined by more than 20 per cent since 2017.

NBL has supported efforts to restore River Rwizi  in western Uganda and improve water availability and quality in communities around its operations, while seeking to reduce water consumption in brewing.

“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,” Mncwabe said.

Looking ahead, the company says sustainability, innovation and operational efficiency will shape its next phase of growth, alongside continued engagement with Ugandan farmers and businesses.

The anniversary provides a snapshot of the role established manufacturers can play in vertical integration of the economy, by connecting local agricultural production to industry. The effort has created opportunities for Ugandan businesses by strengthening local supply chains, while underscoring the importance of sustainably managing the natural resources on which production depends.

As the company enters its eighth decade, its challenge will be to sustain those economic links while adapting to changing consumer needs, competitive pressures and rising expectations around responsible production.