Uganda

History

1951

Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) is established in 1951 as an unlisted public company.

1957

The Muljibhai Madhvani group of companies takes majority ownership and management control. Although nationalised in 1972, the brewery was repossessed by NBL in 1992.

1997

SABMiller is invited to take a 40% share and joint management.

2001

SABMiller purchases the remaining Madhvani shares and makes an offer to the remaining minorities. This offer has been taken up by all but a few per cent to date.

2002

NBL obtains an excise rebate that encourages the local production of sorghum and brewing a clear sorghum beer – Eagle Lager. This innovation has been responsible for making beer more affordable and attracting new consumers.

2008

Nile Special and Club Pilsener are converted to the 500ml long neck Gold Euro bottle – a first for the Ugandan market.

2009

In August NBL opened its US$29 million brewery extension doubling production capacity from 90 to 180 million litres of beer per year.

Following the success of its initiative to convert locally grown barley into brewing malt, SABMiller plc announces construction of a $16 million maltings plant in Uganda.

2009/2010

Acquisition of Rwenzori.

2011

US$260m investment programme to fund capacity expansion in Uganda, Ghana, Zambia and Tanzania announced in November.

Sustainable development

A holistic approach to tackling HIV

In Uganda, Nile Breweries works with small and medium-sized enterprises, farmers, truck drivers and even the bartenders who sell its products. The programme includes awareness and prevention education, VCT and the provision of antiretroviral therapy as needed.

Read the A holistic approach to tackling HIV sustainable development case study