Buganda Kingdom, through its investment arm, Majestic Brands has today extended the partnership with Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) to manufacture Ngule, the kingdom’s official beer. The contract was signed at a media briefing in Bulange Mengo by the Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga and Alvin Mbugua, Managing Director of Uganda Breweries.
In January 2016, UBL and Buganda entered a partnership to produce a beer called Ngule. This partnership consists of a revenue sharing agreement that is beneficial to both entities.
“Since its introduction to the market, Ngule has been positively received. It is a great quality beer that consumers have grown to love. We are pleased today to be extending this partnership,” said Alvin Mbugua, Managing Director, Uganda Breweries.
Over the last three years, Uganda Breweries has paid the kingdom royalties worth UGX 1.062 billion from revenues earned from Ngule, in accordance with contractual obligations.
Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga hailed Ngule as “a wealth-generating” innovation by the Kingdom.
“Ngule is one of the kingdom’s innovations (obuyiiya) which is a key agenda on Buganda's 5-year strategic plan. The creation of Ngule has significantly contributed to the kingdom's income and created jobs for people in Buganda all through the value chain,” Mayiga added.
Ngule is made from local ingredients; cassava and sorghum, which are exclusively sourced from Ugandan farmers through UBL’s Local Raw Materials Program. Sold at a recommended retail price of UGX2,200, Ngule is one of the most affordable beers on the market.
“This partnership was one of our solutions to raising income levels for both the kingdom and its people and I can confirm that it has been mutually beneficial. For this reason, we are extending it for another three years effective today,” said Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga.
The Katikkiro said Ngule is one of the many initiatives of the kingdom and urged the people to continue supporting their King.
Ngule is one of the most affordably priced beers on the market, a deliberate decision by UBL to get more Ugandans consuming formal beer and moving away from local brews that are of poor quality and potentially hazardous.
“The positive outcomes from this beer have not only been felt by the kingdom. Employment opportunities for distributors, sellers and farmers have been created in Buganda. We have also been able to pay taxes to the national treasury thereby increasing incomes to the country,” Mayiga concluded.
Mbugua also said the success of the partnership had resulted into the launch of a joint sanitation project with the Kabaka Foundation to construct modern public sanitation facilities for the residents and traders of Nakulabye, Katwe, Mengo and Mulago markets. Launched in May, the project which is part of UBL’s “Water of Life” initiative will cost UGX 300 Million and will benefit over 26,000 people.