Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) and the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) have entered into a partnership that will see the former buy local raw materials during brewing of beer and spirits.
The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Purongo-Afro-Kai Centre in Nwoya District, Northern Uganda, on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.
The five-year partnership will be anchored on UBL’s close collaboration with OWC and other relevant stakeholders and public institutions in Uganda in line with the overall goal of The Third National Development Plan (NDP III).
The goal of NDP III is “to increase household incomes and improve the quality of life of Ugandans, under the theme of sustainable industrialisation for inclusive growth, employment and wealth creation”.
Under the collaboration, UBL will purchase barley, sorghum, cassava and fruits from OWC for the purpose of expanding the beer manufacturer’s range of alcoholic beverages and spirits.
On its part, OWC shall coordinate institutions of government such Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well other value chain actors such as the Uganda Grain Council to provide the necessary support and facilities to enable farmers to increase their production to meet the demand.
“To achieve this, OWC and UBL shall jointly undertake different exercises such as capacity building of selected farmers in the use of advanced agronomic practices and technologies, provide inputs and provide crop protection materials such as pesticides, herbicides to address disease control and coordinate extension services for purposes of increasing the yield per acre for the said strategic crops, among others,” OWC said in a statement.
In Uganda, the agricultural sector contributes over 25% of national GDP and employs over 70% of Uganda’s population.