Uganda has intensified efforts to attract foreign direct investment in manufacturing, with the Minister of State for Investment and Privatisation, Evelyn Anite, calling on global alcohol brands to establish production facilities in the country.
Speaking at the launch of Offshore Vodka from Australia, Vodka Cruisers from New Zealand, and Tequila Ley 925 from Mexico at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, Anite said local production would help Uganda curb revenue losses caused by illicit alcohol and reduce reliance on imports.
According to the minister, alcohol manufacturers currently contribute about Shs 1 trillion annually in taxes to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). However, she noted that the country loses an estimated Shs 3 trillion each year due to illicit alcohol trade.
To attract the investors, Anite pledged government support, including access to land, electricity, water, and a 15-year tax holiday. She added that the government has developed industrial parks across the country to ease the establishment of manufacturing plants.
“These are big brands, and the government is ready to support them. This is not just about alcohol; it is about Uganda’s ability to attract global companies and create value through local production,” Anite said.
She explained that manufacturing the products locally would significantly cut Uganda’s import bill and boost tax revenues, while creating jobs across the supply chain, including transport, distribution, marketing, and hospitality.
Pearl Liquors Uganda CEO and founder, Stuart Raymond Kasule, welcomed the government’s investment push but raised concerns over operational challenges, citing delays by DHL in importing products and by URA in issuing digital tax stamps.
Kasule praised Anite for promoting an investor-friendly environment, saying consistent engagement and policy support are critical for private-sector growth and long-term sustainability.
He also announced the official entry of Offshore Vodka, Vodka Cruisers, and Tequila Ley 925 into the Ugandan and wider East African markets, saying the brands were selected to meet changing consumer preferences and strengthen the region’s premium beverage segment.
“This launch goes beyond introducing new products. It is about creating jobs, supporting the hospitality industry, promoting responsible consumption, and positioning Uganda as a regional hub for premium global brands,” Kasule said.
Anite ended the event on a light note, reiterating the case for local manufacturing: “DHL will keep delaying you until you start making it here in Uganda.”
