By Our Reporter
To address the unrelenting sanitation needs at the Portbell Landing site in Luzira, Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) has embarked on a cleaning exercise together with other partners; Rotaract Club of Luzira, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and others to restore the cleanliness at the landing site at an event where Paul Mugambe, the Nakawa Mayor was chief guest.
“We recognize the shared responsibility to ensure that we all thrive in a clean and sanitary environment. We also know that a lot of people make their livelihoods at this landing site and the poor sanitation directly threatens these livelihoods, whether it is the fishermen who need fresh waters to attract fish, or the businesses that thrive in a clean and well-kept environment. As a business that does production in this community, we want to set a good example for the highest standards in our operations, and then extend these to our immediate neighbors so that together we realise shared growth and prosperity.” Said David Kimaka, the Head of Business Integrity at Uganda Breweries at the beginning of the cleaning exercise.
According to the 2024 population census, the total daytime population recorded in Kampala was 2.5 million people. While rapid urbanization has its advantages, increased consumer demand on facilities comes with associated challenges including waste management.
According to data from Makerere University School of Public Health, about 87% of Kampala’s residents live in informal houses, and a 2019 Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) report estimated that 1,500 tons per day of waste are produced in the city with food and yard waste most generated but only about 40%-50% is collected and transported to the landfill leaving 50% or 60% which contributes to pollution of water bodies and soil.
“Uganda Breweries has exceeded our expectations in demonstrating support for the community in which they operate. I, therefore, want to thank Uganda Breweries that has consistently initiated these clean-up exercises in this community, donated cleaning materials and also continued to build and upgrade sanitation facilities like toilets in and around several markets and communities in Kampala.” Said the Mayor as he called upon residents to step up and keep the landing site and surrounding areas clean even after this exercise.
In recognition of the crucial role that water plays in Uganda Breweries production processes, the company, through the Water for Life initiative, has partnered with various government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations like Buganda Kingdom, KCCA, Teso and Lango district local governments, Rotary, etc. to enhance access to water and also improve sanitation of various communities over the years, last year investing over UGX 600 million to construct 8 Toilet blocks in Namuwongo, Bukoto, Katwe, Mulago, Nakulabye, Kireka, Nateete, Lubiri, Mengo and most recently in Bukoto in partnership with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
Other partners that took part in the cleanup activity were the Turinawe Community Foundation, Uganda Junior Rangers, CIVACT, Luzira Achievers Youth Group, and Holistic Approach for Development and Empowerment (HADE).