Buganda Kingdom renews contract with Uganda Breweries Limited for the production of NGULE Larger
Buganda
Kingdom, through its investment arm, Majestic Brands has today extended a
partnership with Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) to manufacture Ngule, the
kingdom’s official beer. The contract was signed at Bulange Mengo by the
leadership of Majestic Brands and Eunice Waweru, Finance and Strategy Director
of Uganda Breweries in the presence of Katikkiro (Prime Minister) Charles Peter
Mayiga.
In
January 2016, UBL and Buganda entered a partnership to produce Ngule, the
kingdom’s official beer under a revenue sharing agreement that is beneficial to
both entities.
“Through
this partnership, we are keen on job creation and generating wealth for His
Majesty’s subjects. The product is manufactured using local materials sourced
from farmers with the purpose of raising household incomes and alleviating
poverty. Ngule is one of the kingdom’s innovations (obuyiiya) which is a key
agenda on Buganda’s 5-year strategic plan,” said Mayiga.
Ngule
is made from local ingredients; cassava and sorghum, which are exclusively
sourced from Ugandan farmers through UBL’s Local Raw Materials Program. Sold at
a recommended retail price of sh2,500, Ngule is one of the most affordable
beers on the market.
“This
extension is a demonstration of our commitment to investing significantly to
support the growth of Ngule, a home grown brand. The product is affordably
priced and well poised to grow given its market potential to offer quality and
value to consumers,” said Eunice Waweru, Finance and Strategy Director, Uganda
Breweries.
Since
launch, Uganda Breweries has paid the kingdom royalties worth over sh1.062
billion from revenues earned from Ngule, in accordance with contractual
obligations. Ngule is a Luganda word that means ‘crown’ or ‘reward’.
“This
partnership was one of our solutions to raising income levels for both the
kingdom and its people and I can confirm that it has been mutually beneficial”
said Charles Peter Mayiga.
The
Katikkiro said Ngule is one of the many initiatives of the kingdom and urged
the people to continue supporting their King. The beer was launched in
January.
Ngule
is one of the most affordably priced beers on the market, a deliberate decision
by UBL to get more Ugandans consuming formal beer and moving away from illicit
alcohol that is of questionable quality and potentially hazardous.
“The
positive outcomes from this beer have not only been felt by the kingdom.
Employment opportunities for distributors, sellers and farmers have been
created in Buganda. We have also been able to pay taxes to the national
treasury thereby increasing incomes to the country,” Mayiga concluded.
Waweru
commended the Buganda Kingdom for being valuable partners which has led to a
budding partnership that has also extended to joint community initiatives.
“We
have worked with both the Kabaka Foundation and Nabagereka Foundation
establishing joint projects to improve health and access to clean water and
sanitation facilities; benefitting an estimated 26,000 people. We look forward
to extending this partnership in Environmental and Social aspects to improve
the wellbeing of the communities which we serve,” Waweru added.
