UBL invests in Uganda’s hospitality workforce, graduates 100 skilled youth

JINJA, Uganda, June 19, 2026 — Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) has graduated 100 young adults from Jinja under its Learning for Life programme, deepening its investment in building a skilled hospitality workforce for one of Uganda’s fastest-growing industries.

The graduation, held on Friday at Crested Crane Hotel, capped a three-day intensive training programme combining hospitality skills with entrepreneurship development. It forms part of UBL’s broader commitment to invest in more than 300 young Ugandans this financial year, targeting people who have faced structural barriers to education and employment.

The investment responds to a persistent gap in Uganda’s hospitality sector: while the industry is expanding rapidly, many young people struggle to break into it without practical training and direct exposure to employers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sheila Sabune, UBL’s corporate affairs director, said the programme was designed to give young people more than just technical skills. “Uganda’s young people have immense potential, but many lack access to practical skills and opportunities. Through Learning for Life, we are helping bridge that gap by equipping young adults with technical knowledge and an entrepreneurial mindset that will support a sustainable livelihood.”

Over the three days, participants were trained in core hospitality competencies, including customer service, bar operations, responsible service, health and safety, communication, financial literacy, leadership and workplace readiness — skills designed to build both technical capability and an entrepreneurial mindset.

The programme’s impact was reflected in testimonies from graduates. Speaking on behalf of the F26 cohort, Frank Kulijo said the certification had changed his outlook entirely: “This certificate changes absolutely everything for me. It is the bridge between just surviving and actually thriving. I am so grateful to UBL for this great opportunity because today, I leave feeling more confident and hopeful about my future.”

On the final day, participants took part in a competitive showcase and certificate awards ceremony, with categories including Leadership Excellence, Top Mixology Skills, and Best Team Player. Beyond certification, graduates joined speed-matching sessions with hospitality employers — a key mechanism translating UBL’s investment into direct pathways for internships, work experience, and permanent placements.

The model has drawn endorsement from the training sector. Richard Kawere, principal of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, said collaborative, intensive practical training programmes like this one are essential to aligning academic standards with market demands, helping raise the benchmark for professionalism across the local hospitality industry.

Learning for Life is UBL’s flagship investment in business and hospitality skills development, aimed at increasing employability among marginalised groups. Delivered with support from Enterprise Uganda and EXP, the programme pairs life-skills development with hands-on hospitality training, equipping participants with the confidence, technical knowledge and workplace readiness needed to succeed in the industry.