By
Denis Kasule Ssebunya
In the face of worsening environmental degradation and the growing threat of climate change, reversing these crises requires more than just commitments—it demands action. Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) stands as a powerful example of how businesses can contribute to global sustainability efforts and inspire change on the African continent and beyond.
Water is not only essential to life but is also a fundamental raw material for brewing, as in UBL’s case. However, its availability and quality are under increasing pressure. The water stress crisis is especially acute in Africa, where water scarcity is predicted to reach critical levels by 2025. In East Africa, freshwater resources have already declined by two-thirds over the past 40 years and are expected to decrease by another 50 percent by 2050.
In light of these statistics, the “Preserve Water for Life” initiative exemplifies how innovation, collaboration, and determination can help tackle this urgent issue.
The initiative adopts an integrated approach to water conservation, recognizing the critical impact that water shortages have on environmental ecosystems, public health, and economic development. The program combines community engagement with technology and strategic partnerships to achieve its goals. According to UBL’s annual report, the initiative focuses on efficient water management across supply chains, operations, and local communities.
The 2023–2024 fiscal year saw significant progress, with over 403,908 cubic meters of water replenished. Additionally, water usage per liter of packaged product decreased from 3.07 L/L to 2.98 L/L, a 20% reduction from the FY 2020 baseline. These efforts align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean water, sanitation, and ecosystem health.
One of the most compelling aspects of this initiative is its positive impact on local communities, especially in water-scarce regions. Through strategic investments, UBL has transformed lives by providing access to clean water. For instance, in the Teso region, ten boreholes were constructed with a contribution of UGX 307 million, benefiting over 4,800 people across three districts: Kapelebyong, Katakwi, and Bukedea.
The project also empowers women by ensuring that 50% of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) village committee members are women. Research from the Stockholm International Water Institute has shown that projects with female involvement are seven times more effective.
While community engagement is key, operational efficiency plays an equally important role. As a major brewery, UBL has become a leader in water management innovation. Its annual performance report highlights the company’s success in reducing water usage through advanced recovery systems, ensuring efficiency in both production and quality.
These operational improvements have set benchmarks for other industries to follow and demonstrate how businesses can integrate sustainability into core operations.
The Preserve Water for Life initiative recognizes that tackling water scarcity requires collective action. UBL has partnered with organizations like Aid Environment to expand the reach and impact of its conservation efforts. From 2021 to 2024, UBL and its sister breweries under East African Breweries have replenished over 2.1 million cubic meters of water. Additionally, environmental restoration efforts, including tree planting, terracing, and water pan installations, have contributed to soil health, water security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.
Climate change exacerbates water scarcity and introduces new risks for both businesses and communities. The Preserve Water for Life initiative has developed strategies to address these physical and transition risks. These include tackling the dangers of drought, which threatens production and agriculture, and exploring innovative solutions to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
By employing scenario analysis and partnering with climate resilience experts, UBL is actively preparing for these risks, ensuring its long-term sustainability.
UBL’s vision extends far beyond its current successes. By 2030, the Preserve Water for Life initiative aims to replenish critical water sources in water-stressed regions, achieve net-zero emissions across all operations, eliminate waste to landfills, and increase plastic recycling to 35% by 2050. These ambitious goals are in line with UBL’s broader mission to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all.
Water conservation is just one aspect of the broader sustainability efforts by UBL. Other programs address pressing social challenges, including Positive Drinking Campaigns: Programs like SMASHED and Wrong Side of the Road have reached over 445,000 people, promoting responsible drinking and road safety. Diversity and Inclusion: UBL has achieved 47% female representation in senior leadership and has invested in diverse suppliers, driving economic empowerment across communities. Skills Development: Nearly 10,000 individuals have received hospitality training, surpassing targets by 68%.
As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, UBL’s Preserve Water for Life initiative stands as a beacon of resilience and responsibility. Its achievements show that through innovation, collaboration, and strategic planning, even the most challenging global issues can be addressed.
For Africa and the world, water is not just a resource—it is life. Preserving it requires urgent and sustained action from all sectors of society. UBL’s initiative serves as a reminder that the choices we make today can shape the future of our planet. With its bold goals and remarkable outcomes, UBL’s commitment offers hope for a more sustainable and equitable future for all. One Drop at a Time.