A total of 140 young Ugandans have graduated from Uganda Breweries Limited’s (UBL) Learning for Life programme, a skills development initiative aimed at improving employability and livelihoods within the hospitality and business sectors.
The programme equips participants with practical skills in hospitality, entrepreneurship, sales and bar operations, enhancing their chances of securing employment or starting income-generating ventures in a sector that remains a major source of jobs for young people. This year’s cohort included 54 women, 70 men and 16 persons with disabilities, reflecting a deliberate shift towards greater inclusion.
The graduation aligns with Uganda Breweries’ Society 2030 sustainability action plan, which seeks to promote an inclusive and sustainable world by 2030 through purpose-driven business practices. As part of this commitment, the company targets having women make up at least 50 percent of beneficiaries across its community programmes, with a strong focus on empowering underrepresented groups.
Compared to previous intakes, this year’s programme placed increased emphasis on women and persons with disabilities, groups that continue to face structural barriers to employment and are disproportionately affected by income inequality and poverty.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Sheila Sabune, the Corporate Relations Director at Uganda Breweries Limited, said youth unemployment remains one of Uganda’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, making skills-based interventions critical.
She cited data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics 2024 census, which puts the national unemployment rate at 12.3 percent. Among young people aged 15 to 24, however, the share of those not in employment, education or training stands at 42.6 percent, highlighting widespread underemployment and engagement in low-productivity work.
Sabune noted that an estimated 400,000 young Ugandans enter the labour market annually to compete for roughly 9,000 formal jobs, leaving many qualified youths without employment. She added that UBL’s Learning for Life programme aims to bridge this gap by providing marketable skills and internationally recognised certification, including the Diageo Bar Academy certificate, which opens opportunities beyond Uganda.
Yogi Biriggwa, President of the Uganda Tourism Association, commended Uganda Breweries and its partners for investing in youth empowerment within their communities. She said strengthening human capital is essential for the growth and competitiveness of Uganda’s tourism sector.
Biriggwa explained that the programme equips graduates with hands-on skills in bartending, hospitality and entrepreneurship, enabling them to serve customers professionally while supporting job creation across the tourism value chain. She added that as the hospitality industry continues to evolve, it requires adaptable, innovative individuals committed to continuous learning.
She described investment in people as the most sustainable way to build strong destinations and a competitive tourism industry.