UBL appoints Rhona Namanya to senior marketing role from January 2027

Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) has appointed Rhona Namanya as Marketing and Innovation Director, effective from 1 January 2027. 

In her new position she will take charge of brand growth, product development and portfolio strategy. This follows her working in regional marketing roles in Kenya and Tanzania. 

“Namanya’s appointment comes after she demonstrated significant experience in previous roles at Uganda Waragi, Uganda Breweries, Kenya Breweries Limited and Serengeti Breweries – all within Diageo’s East African operations,” reports Marketing World magazine. 

“She is set to return to UBL as an experienced marketer with a wealth of professional experience spanning spirits, beer, and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages – including product innovation and brand positioning across these markets.” 

Repositioning of Uganda Waragi 

Between 2015 and 2019, Namanya was part of the repositioning of Uganda Waragi, a clear spirit brand produced by Uganda Breweries Limited, expanding the brand’s appeal beyond its established identity. This included the development of flavoured variants and experiential marketing initiatives designed to connect spirits brands with consumers through new social occasions. 

She also contributed to premium spirits marketing through initiatives such as Kampala’s first Cocktail Week and Johnnie Walker-branded Signature Bars. The approach combined product differentiation with consumer experiences, giving established brands additional ways to engage drinkers beyond conventional advertising. 

According to the beverages-industry news website Drinkabl, Namanya moved to Kenya in 2019, taking up a senior innovation role at Kenya Breweries Limited. She subsequently returned to Uganda before relocating to Tanzania in July 2022 to lead beer marketing at Serengeti Breweries, broadening her experience across different beverage categories and consumer markets. 

Comments Drinkabl: “Namanya’s return comes as beverage companies compete for consumers through differentiated products, premium offerings and marketing built around local tastes. Her experience with flavoured spirits in Uganda and Kenya, followed by beer and RTD innovation in Tanzania, gives her exposure to several approaches UBL can apply across its portfolio.”