Timeline

events

1946

Uganda Breweries is registered.

1950

Production of the first beer in Uganda and our flagship brand, Bell Lager®, commences.

1959

East African Breweries Limited (EABL) acquires an interest in Uganda Breweries to allow both companies a regional presence as pioneers in the brewing industry in East Africa.

1960

Uganda attained internal self-rule in 1961 and independence in 1962. At that time, Uganda was a confident country

1970

On Labour Day, May 1, 1970, in what came to be termed as the “Nakivubo Declaration”, President Milton Obote announced that the government was going to nationalise the economy.

As a result, large companies like UBL were targeted for what was effectively a government takeover

1980

The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) of Milton Obote returned to power in December 1980 and set about trying to revive the Ugandan economy. Economic policy took centre stage after 1981

1999

Uganda Breweries is licensed to produce Uganda Waragi.

2004

A Ugandan, Baker Magunda, is appointed Managing Director. Taking over from Chris Emptage.

2006

Uganda Breweries wins Silver President’s Export Award.

2007

Alvaro, the company’s first non-alcoholic natural malt drink, is successfully launched and records consumption of over eight Million bottles within the first three months following the launch in East Africa.

2010

Uganda Breweries installs a new packaging line with capacity of 50,000 bottles per hour.
November 2010, Alasdair Musselwhite is appointed Managing Director taking over from Ivo Buratovich.

2011

Bell Lager wins Gold at the coveted Monde Selection.
Bell Lager® receives a resounding nod from Uganda consumers as the best quality beer brand in the market as verified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)

2012

Uganda Breweries becomes an affiliate of Diageo Plc.

2013

Hon. Dr

2014

Uganda Breweries top brands, Bell Lager and Uganda Waragi are recognized by Private Sector Foundation as part of Uganda’s Top 52 brands.

February 2014 - Uganda launches pilot partnership with Straight Talk Foundation as part of “Red Card - Zero Tolerance to Underage Drinking" to deal with underage consumption concerns in northern Uganda

2015

Uganda Breweries is named 5th Top Employer of Choice by Federation of Ugandan Employers 2014/2015.
March 2015 - Bell Lager, Pilsner Lager and Uganda Waragi win Gold award at International Monde Selection

2016

Uganda breweries celebrated 70 years of existence which also coincided with the welcoming of a new managing director; Mark Ocitti, the 2nd Ugandan MD to be at the helm of Uganda breweries.

Our flagship brand Bell Lager launched a refreshed look in a stunning new pack that was unveiled at the climax of a successful consumer promotion dubbed “Pop ‘n’ Jam” and celebrated at the most-talked-about concert in Kampala headlined by renowned artiste Shaffer Chimere Smith (“Ne-yo”)

2017

Kampala City Authority Executive Director - Ms Jenifer Musisi and key stakeholders in the water sector commissioned Uganda Breweries Limited’s Expanded shillings 20b Effluent Treatment Plant.

Uganda Breweries Limited awarded best employer of the year 2016/2017 by the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE).