Kampala: Uganda Breweries Limited concluded its three-day Learning for Life training program in Kampala, graduating an initial cohort of 94 retail trade operators as part of its Fiscal Year 2027 enterprise development framework.
The program targeted retail outlet proprietors, bartenders, and service personnel who face barriers to employment, providing technical instruction and commercial coaching to strengthen enterprise viability and service quality across the hospitality value chain.
The intervention directly tackled operational constraints that limit retail sustainability, such as weak debt management, inadequate product knowledge, and informal customer service standards, implemented in partnership with Enterprise Uganda.
Over the three days, participants covered practical modules in core business planning, customer service standards facilitated by the Diageo Bar Academy, and essential financial management, including cash-flow reconciliation and credit control.
The program culminated in a formal graduation and awards ceremony where outstanding participants and graduates received official certifications in recognition of completing the three-day curriculum.
Delivering the keynote address as the Guest of Honor, Dr. Joshua Mutambi, Commissioner at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, commended the collaborative private sector initiative: “Micro, small, and medium enterprises form the backbone of Uganda’s service economy, but their long-term survival depends entirely on sound financial governance, compliance, and skilled personnel. When industry leaders such as Uganda Breweries Limited partner with Enterprise Uganda to deliver structured bookkeeping, credit control, and professional customer care skills, they actively build commercial resilience and create sustainable employment across our trade ecosystem.”
Pamela Bayenda, Head of Sustainability at Uganda Breweries Limited, highlighted the program’s targeted impact and verified inclusion benchmarks: “Retailers are the vital touchpoint connecting our products to consumers, yet capability gaps and heavy debt burdens continue to push viable establishments out of business. Through Learning for Life, we are resolving these operational deficiencies directly. In Fiscal Year 2026, our training reached 233 beneficiaries, with women representing over 50 percent of that total. In this 94-member Kampala cohort, women accounted for 77.7% (73 participants), advancing our commitment to guarantee equal economic access and improve community livelihoods.”
The graduation concludes the initial phase of the Fiscal Year 2027 program, with Uganda Breweries Limited scheduled to deliver the next training phase to 100 regional retailers outside Kampala.
