The Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, has commissioned a state-of-the-art Biomass Steam Plant at Uganda Breweries in Luzira, Kampala. The beer maker said the plan is representative of their commitment to sustainable reduction of its carbon footprint.

Powered by locally sourced biomass materials, the plant also exemplifies the brewery’s dedication to harnessing sustainable manufacturing while offering livelihood opportunities to local communities.

Nankabirwa said the project will not only create jobs and stimulate economic activity but also promote the use of clean energy, which is essential for mitigating the impacts of climate change.

“Uganda has increased its ambition to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 22% to 24.7% in the new climate change plan that presents the country’s intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deal with the effects of climate change, and fulfill aspirations of the Paris Agreement,” she said.

The Managing Director of Uganda Breweries, Andrew Itambo Kilonzo, said the Biomass Steam Plant works to reduce carbon emissions by replacing fuel-oil systems.

But now, with the new plant, burning organic waste materials such as woodchips, sugar cane, and rice husks supplied by local farmers will create new local supply contracts and reduce thermal energy costs by approximately 59 percent.

“Our efforts in carbon emission reduction in our production processes are both direct like this [Biomass Steam] plant, but also indirect interventions like the tree planting partnerships we entered with the Ministry of Water and Environment, Rotary International, and National Forestry Authority.

“They are all geared towards replenishing of forestry cover, particularly in water catchment areas that improve the quality of water that goes into our lakes and rivers.

As one of the measures to safeguard Lake Victoria, a bountiful resource in our locale, we built an Effluent Treatment Plant that filters and purifies wastewater to a potable state before it is disposed of back into the lake,” Kilonzo said.

“Uganda Breweries has continued to support the Ugandan economy in other ways, as we are currently among the top 4 taxpayers, paying over 450 billion a year, providing a ready market for produce for over 38,000 farmers across Uganda, and employing nearly 1000 workers directly and thousands more in our value chains of distribution, transport, etc,” he added.