Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) has injected Sh372 million into a major forest restoration drive targeting Namananga Central Forest Reserve, a critical catchment area within the Mabira ecosystem.
The initiative, launched in partnership with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Rotary, will see 80,000 indigenous trees planted to restore degraded sections of the 459-hectare reserve. The forest plays a vital role in sustaining the Nalwe and Wugula streams while serving as an ecological corridor linking Mabira Forest—Uganda’s largest natural forest and Musamya Swamp.
Over the years, Namananga has suffered extensive deforestation caused by timber harvesting, charcoal burning, firewood collection, and agricultural encroachment, particularly pineapple farming.
Speaking at the signing of the partnership, UBL Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to environmental conservation.
“At Uganda Breweries, we are committed to conserving the environment and supporting Uganda’s afforestation agenda because forests are critical to preserving water sources that sustain people, ecosystems, and essential crops like barley, maize, and sorghum that we use in production,” Kilonzo said.
He added that UBL’s conservation efforts extend beyond tree planting, citing the recently launched UGX 1 billion Water Collective Action Programme and the company’s participation in the Running Out of Trees (ROOTs) campaign aimed at planting 40 million trees nationwide.
The NFA welcomed the partnership, with Director of Plantations Development Martin Mwodi Kegere noting its alignment with the authority’s Strategic Plan 2020–2025. The plan seeks to raise Uganda’s forest cover from 15 percent in 2010 to 24 percent by 2040, in line with Uganda Vision 2040.
“Partnerships with corporates like UBL are vital if we are to achieve these restoration goals,” Kegere said. According to Global Forest Watch, Uganda’s forest cover rose from 9.5 percent in 2015 to 13.3 percent in 2024, reflecting steady national progress.
Rotary District 9214 Governor Christine Kyeyune Kawooya emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, noting that “through Rotary Mission Green, we are planting trees and mobilizing Ugandans to conserve the environment. Partnerships like this ensure greater impact.”
Under the agreement, UBL will finance the entire project while NFA and Rotary provide technical expertise in forest management and community engagement. Restoration works at Namananga are set to begin immediately.