Beer company, Uganda Breweries Limited has said it has paid shs7.4 trillion in taxes to government in the past 75 years of their existence.
“Since 1946, we have made a significant contribution to the socio-economic transformation of Uganda by paying an estimated shs7.4 trillion in taxes to government. Last year alone, we paid shs420 billion in taxes to Uganda Revenue Authority,” said Jimmy Mugerwa, the Non-Executive Director on the UBL board.
Mugerwa was speaking during a media roundtable discussion on Tuesday at Serena hotel in Kampala as UBL celebrates 75 years of existence.
During the event, officials from the beer company of spoke of the recent financial results that saw them post 33% revenue growth despite disruptions in the beer industry by Covid that saw the closure of bars and other entertainment centres which consume a number of their products.
Officials said that the company had to get innovative ways of ensuring they deliver products at the door step of their customers and this they said ensured they achieved growth.
Supporting farmers
The company a few years ago launched the Local Raw Materials Program in which they support farmers to grow raw materials used in the manufacturing of beer including sorghum and cassava.
Officials said a total of 32000 farmers have benefitted from the program.
“We provide seeds, technical advice, fertilisers and also link the farmers to financial institutions for financial services. We also buy the produce from farmers at competitive prices,” said Mark Ocitti , the former UBL Managing Director.
According to the outgoing Managing Director, Alvin Mbugua, the partnerships with government agencies like Operation Wealth Creation and NAADs for growth of raw materials will also assist farmers.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Officials also noted that the company has through the years given back to the members of the public where they operate.
“We give back 1% of our annual revenue to the needs of people through scholarships and replenishing the environment. We give out scholarships worth shs1 billion annually to disadvantaged students to progress for tertiary education,” Ocitti said.
“A total of 4.7 million trees have been planted since 2005 under our e-green initiative to restore depleted forests. We pioneered the phasing out of sachets for waragi because of their negative effects on the environment and we are glad that government bought our idea and enforced it with other manufacturers.”
Uganda Breweries said they would continue supporting the communities in which they operate to improve their livelihoods for a win win situation for both.
