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UBL sets up UGX20 billion cleaning facility

15th Apr, 2024 Economy
UBL sets up UGX20 billion cleaning facility

Part of the new effluent treatment plant.


Uganda Breweries Limited, the maker of Tusker and Guinness, has commissioned a state-of-the-art effluent treatment plant, which officials said marks a significant milestone in the company's commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint.

Speaking at the launch, officials explained that the solid residues from the UGX20 billion plant are given away to farmers as fertiliser while the biogas powers a facility that produces electricity for the beer factory.

Andrew Itambo Kilonzo, the managing director, said the new plant brings UBL closer to realizing their goal of reducing carbon emissions by 92% or 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, adding that as a responsible corporate citizen, UBL remains steadfast in pursuing sustainable practices and initiatives that benefit society and the environment.

  • Chief guest Ruth Nankabirwa, the minister for Energy and Mineral Development, commended UBL for investing in the facility, saying UBL is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also contributing to the country's energy security and economic growth.

"This project will not only create jobs and stimulate economic activity but also promote the use of clean energy, which is essential for mitigating the impacts of climate change. Uganda has increased its ambition to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 22% to 24.7% in the new climate change plan that presents the country's intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deal with the effects of climate change, and fulfil aspirations of the Paris Agreement," said Nankabirwa.

The dirty water from all sections of the brewery is pumped into collection tanks and electronically sieved to remove solid particles. The plant then restores the PH balance of the water, converts organic material into biogas and sludge, disinfects the waste water and then allows it to return to Lake Victoria when it is much cleaner than the water in the lake, in full compliance with NEMA regulations.

  • The biogas is used as fuel to produce power for the brewery while the sludge can be used by local farmers as a fertilizer at no cost. The facility can produce about 20 tonnes of manure per day, while the methane gas is burnt so it does not go into the environment.
UBL sets up UGX20 billion cleaning facility Chief guest, Hon. Nankabirwa speaks presides over the event.

Diageo Africa President Dayalan Nayager said the setting up of the plant was within the organization's promise to accelerate to a low-carbon world, in which it is committed to using renewable energy only by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon status in their operations.

Jimmy D. Mugerwa, the UBL Board chairman, said UBL is the one of few companies in Uganda that have invested billions of shillings in efforts to cut carbon emissions in their production processes.

"We urge all organizations across Uganda to emulate what Uganda Breweries is doing here today in their various operations and we call upon the Government to continue supporting these sustainability initiatives," he said.

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