The staff of Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) teamed up to mark World Environment day (WED) by participating in various environmental friendly activities that included cleaning of the Luzira area and commissioning of a 150m toilet facility in Port Bell Market, Nakawa.
The staff joined together to raise the standard of cleanliness at Port bell market and rid the area of rubbish. This is not the first time the brewery is joining the port Bell in cleaning activities around Luzira. Most recently, the staffs of UBL were involved in cleaning the banks of Lake Victoria.
The exercise that was led by the StateMinister for Environment, Dr. Mary GorettiKitutuculminated into the commissioning of the modern sanitation facility that was constructed by the brewery for the residents and traders of Port Bell Market, Nakawa Division. Construction of this facility commenced in November 2016.
The facility, a complex of modern water-borne toilets and showers was constructed under UBL’s “Water of Life” initiative aimed at improving sanitation in Uganda. It is set to serve over 5,000 beneficiaries living in the community as well as those who usually visit the area on a daily basis to transact business.
It comprises of 4 urinals for men, 2 male toilets, 1 bathroom, and 1 male seat-toilet for disabled persons, 2 female toilets, 1 bathroom and 1 female seat-toilet for disabled persons.
Speaking during the commissioning of the toilet facility, Uganda Breweries Legal and Corporate Relations Director, Charity Ekuduexpressed the company’s pleasure and commitment to continue giving back to the community where they have their operations.
“Our neighbors here at Port Bell have been so supportive of our business by providing the enabling environment for us to carry out our operations without any hindrance. The area however has recently been more disease-prone due to the poor sanitation and lack of toilet facilities. It is with this in mind that we decided to construct the public toilet facility that will not only reduce the water pollution in the area but also decrease the rampant hygiene related disease outbreaks amongst the residents, traders and fishermen.” Charity Kiyemba said.
Ronald Balimwezo, the Nakawa Mayor, who officiated at the ceremony, thanked UBL for the enormous support to improve sanitation in the area. “These people have showed us what it means to for everyone to come together and help tidy up our area. It is now our responsibility as market occupants to ensure that the area remains free of garbage and an enjoyable place to live, work and visit.
He urged traders at the market to ensure that the new toilet facility is properly used and managed. “We need to maintain good hygiene and keep our market clean to prevent any outbreak of fatal diseases such as Cholera,” Hon Balimwezo said.
This investment is just one of the many environmental projects that Uganda Breweries Limited is currently implementing across the country. Just last month, the brewery commissioned a world class Effluent Treatment Plant that filters and purifies waste water to potable state before it is disposed of into Lake Victoria.
