Sustainability

Water of Life Programme

UGANDA BREWERIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KABAKA FOUNDATION COMMISSION 8 SANITATION BLOCKS WORTH UGX 600 MILLION.

Namuwongo, Kampala. May 11, 2023 - Uganda Breweries in partnership with the Kabaka Foundation have today commissioned the Namuwongo sanitation block which is one of the 8 blocks that have been constructed in Katwe, Mulago, Mengo, Nakulabye, Kireka, Nateete, Lubiri, and Namuwongo over the past two years. These sanitation blocks will give residents of these respective communities easy access to clean water and sanitation services.  

Uganda over the past two decades has experienced economic growth which has led to large population movements from rural areas to informal settlements around urban centers. The increase in population has caused stress on the water and sanitation services that exist in urban areas. Out of its population of 45 million people, 38 million people that is, about 83% of the population lack access to a reliable source of water, and 7 million people lack access to improved sanitation solutions.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Namuwongo sanitation block, Uganda Breweries Corporate Relations Director, Juliana Kagwa emphasized the brewery’s commitment to improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene to various communities across Uganda that have a hard time accessing clean and safe water or toilets and bathrooms. 

“As the brewery, we are deliberate in finding ways to create impact communities because we are part of society. This makes us optimistic that the construction of these reliable water supply facilities in these areas is going to play a huge role in easing access to clean and safe water, which will ensure healthier communities.” Kagwa said. 

The 8 sanitation blocks comprise of a urinal section, 2 male toilets, 1 bathroom, 1 male seat toilet for disabled persons, 2 female toilets, 1 bathroom, and 1 female seat toilet for disabled persons. This all together is going to serve an average population of 1,900 people per block, summing to 15,200 beneficiaries. The sanitation blocks will be accessible to the community members 24/7 and will contain running water in the toilets, bathrooms, and handwashing area. 

The chief guest, Owek. Robert Wagwa Nsibirwa, 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of the Buganda Kingdom thanked UBL for the continuous support in improving the levels of sanitation in various areas around the suburbs of Kampala and beyond. 

“The need for accessible water sources that have clean and safe water cannot be ignored because the lack of those facilities means that the people’s health in those particular communities is at great risk. Therefore interventions such as these will help to prevent those health hazards in our communities. Now that you have received these facilities, let it be everyone’s responsibility to take good care of these facilities and maintain good hygiene so that they can serve us for many years to come and most importantly, sustainably manage the project after it has been handed over,” Nsibirwa said. 

“I also thank the local leaders of the respective areas who have collectively worked with their respective communities to support the project implementers. Your love and dedication to your community and the people is what has made this possible,” Nsibirwa added.

This initiative is under Uganda Breweries’ Society 2030 sustainability action called ‘Water of Life,’ which covers UBL’s work in replenishing and enhancing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in communities across the country.

Some of the projects that we have invested in include:

Acholi sub-region project in 2018

2018 – Sank 16 boreholes in Acholi sub-region targeting sorghum farming communities who supply the brewery with raw material for production.

Constructed public sanitation facilities in 2017

2017 – Constructed public sanitation facilities worth UGX 300 million at Port Bell and Kirombe slum comprising 8 urinals for men, 4 male toilets and 2 bathroom, 2 male seat-toilet for disabled persons, 4 female toilets and 2 bathroom, 2 female seat-toilet for disabled persons. The project benefits over 12,000 residents, traders and visitors to the two areas.

Constructed a water harvesting system in 2016

2016 – Constructed a water harvesting system consisting of two underground tanks with total capacity of 200,000 litres, two overhead tanks each with 24,000 litres capacity, water treatment, filtration, pumping and distribution system worth over UGX 204 million at Entebbe Referral Hospital.

Bulangira small town water Project in 2015

We partnered with WaterAid Uganda (WAU) to implement a three year water and sanitation project in Bulangira, Kibuku District worth Ushs 1billion. Project consists of improved sanitation and hygiene, providing for over 3,000 people. The project will also construct a water supply system that will benefit 3,200 people as well as construct public latrines and a bathroom at the health center III.

Mbarara Referral Hospital in 2014

We fully funded the construction of a water reservoir system worth Ushs 630 million. The consists of a 200,000 litre under-ground tank and two over-head tanks each with 24,000 litres capacity, water treatment and filtration, pumping and distribution system across the hospital. The project benefits 600,000 people.

Northern Uganda projects in 2014

We sank 15 boreholes in the three districts of Lamwo, Pader and Kitgum. This project cost Ushs 14million and benefits 15,000 people. In addition, 5 boreholes were sank in Apac.

Sanitation projects in 2013

We constructed modern sanitation facilities in Ggaba market benefiting 540,000 people, Kinawataka benefiting 25,000 people, Sofia market in Busia benefitting 36,000 people and a fish handling platform in Luzira, Port Bell benefitting 14,000 people. All projects cost close to Ushs 400 million.

Water filters for Western Uganda in 2013

We donated 50 water filters to 22 health IV centres within 8 districts in Western Uganda to solve the problem of access to clean and safe drinking water for patients within the wards.

Entebbe Referral Hospital in 2013

We provided 3 water harvesting tanks of 10,000 litres of capacity worth Ushs 15 million and, in 2014, an underground water reservoir of 200,000 litres costing Ushs 290 million. This project benefits 20,000 people.

Jinja Referral Hospital Water Project in 2012

We provided a water harvesting system consisting of a central water reservoir of 100,000 litres and two overhead water tanks of 24,000 litres each. This project is worth Ushs 360 million and benefits 360,000 people.

Water kiosks in 2009

We provided 4 water kiosks to residents of Kampala central, Rubaga and Kawempe areas benefiting 40,000 people..

Rainwater tank in Kyamuhunga Comboni Hospital in 2009

We provided a rainwater harvesting tank of 24 litres benefiting 7,500 people.

North East Uganda in Kaberamaido District in 2008

We rehabilitated and constructed water sources (8 hand dug wells and reinstallation & repair of 45 non-functional wells ) benefiting 90,000 people.