Uganda Breweries Pushes for Tighter Controls Around Illicit Alcohol

The Managing Director of Uganda Breweries, Andrew Itambo Kilonzo, has asked the government to tighten controls around illicit alcohol.

Kilonzo noted that over 60% of Uganda’s alcohol in the Ugandan market is neither registered nor certified nor does it pay taxes.

According to a report released by the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association, as of 2021, the government loses approximately Shs 1.6 trillion annually in unrealized taxes due to the evasion of tax by illicit traders as well as lax enforcement of existing laws that govern the production and sale of alcohol.

Kilonzo says this is dangerous to the health of the consumers and undermines the economic development of the country.
He remarked on the company’s revelation of the Environmental Impact 2022 Sustainability Report to the government.

The report – the second of its kind – was prepared under the theme ‘Resilient. Impactful. Sustainable. Beyond 100 years’ and provides a detailed overview of UBL’s contributions to sustainable development.

The brewer highlighted the impact of its sustainability initiatives under pillars including Preserving natural resources and making a positive contribution to the communities within which they operate; promoting the positive and moderate consumption of alcohol and; championing inclusion and diversity.

“The success of our business and the success of Uganda are joined at the hip. That is why we are very deliberate about sharing value and making a measurable impact in the communities in which we operate,” said Kilonzo.

The Deputy Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Engineer David Luyimabazi, who was the Chief Guest and received the report – hailed UBL for being conscious of its role in enhancing Uganda’s environmental and socio-economic development.

“Your actions and initiatives should serve as an example for the wider private sector to be mindful of the impact their operations have on the environment and similarly make sustainability a critical part of their business strategies,” he said.