The Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) Corporate Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager Jackie Tahakanizibwa has been elected to chair the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA) for three years.
UAIA is an umbrella body bringing together the registered and regulated producers of adult beverages in Uganda.
It was formed in 2006 to align the interests of the manufacturers and promote the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.
During UAIA’s annual general meeting on Wednesday at Kati Kati Restaurant in Kampala, Tahakanizibwa elected as the new chairperson of the association and will be deputised by Emmanuel Njuki, the Legal and Corporate Affairs Head at Nile Breweries Limited (NBL).
Before that, Tahakanizibwa had been serving the association as Secretary General when the Chairperson and Vice were Onapito Ekomoloit and Juliana Kagwa of UBL and NBL respectively.
Other elected include M.S Reddy as the treasurer, Atuhaire Yonah Blair as general secretary .
The board members include Patrick Pillay, Micah Apuuli and Ved Prakash Singh.
In her acceptance speech, Tahakanizibwa pledged to work with government and relevant stakeholders to grow the sector and preserve the interests of members while directly contributing to the growth of the economy as they have always been doing.
“My priority areas include driving positive behavior among Ugandans by pushing responsible drinking initiatives, supporting the fight against illicit alcohol trade, advocate for a conducive business environment and improve the industry perception,” she said.
The AGM also resolved to have a patron who will provide guidance to the association and NBL Board Chairman Onapito Ekomoloit was unanimously seconded to that position making him the inaugural UAIA Patron.
The State Minister for Trade, David Bahati reiterated his commitment to supporting the sector and confirmed that UAIA is a recognized institution and its formation was endorsed by the ministry.
He further pledged that the ministry is planning to revive the licensing act to further ease the operations of businesses.
He noted that the new leadership has a big task of steering the institution especially during this time when there are discussions of the proposed alcohol bill.
