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Uganda’s Kakira spirits brand takes aim at the UK and European markets

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Kakira Cane Spirits, an offshoot of the famous Kakira Sugar company, described as ‘one of the African continent’s hottest spirit brands’.

Kakira Cane Spirits, the Ugandan-based spirits company, is taking on the UK market with an ambitious export strategy that includes also expanding into other European markets. 

 

The brand is active in the rum, gin and vodka categories and has partnered with a well-established British wine and spirits distributor, Enotria & Coe, to aid its entry to the UK market.  

Kakira Cane Spirits

Photo: Kakira Cane Spirits

Enotria & Coe has a track record dating back to 1972 and its clients include global brand names such as Jack Daniels, Smirnoff and Bacardi. 

 

Kakira Cane Spirits was founded as an off-shoot of Kakira Sugar, said to be Uganda’s largest private-sector employer. Each of its spirits is made from sugar cane grown on the estate, which is based on the shores of Lake Victoria – the source of the river Nile. 

 

Exemplary producer in terms of true sustainability 

 

According to the Enotria & Coe website, Kakira “is an exemplary producer in terms of true sustainability with a full selection of great spirits the most important being their solera aged Rums. 

 

“The founding principle of the brand was to decrease waste and carbon footprint during the sugar-making process, and to increase revenue. Since then, Kakira has grown substantially, producing award-winning spirits and creating a charitable fund for the local environment, wildlife and water conservation in Uganda.” 

 

Retail Times, an online news platform focused on the retail industry, reports that: “Kakira Cane Spirits currently encompasses eight varieties across the rum, vodka and gin categories, and has already amassed an astounding 73 awards over just four years, establishing them as the most highly awarded spirit brand in Africa.” 

 

It adds: “One of the African continent’s hottest spirit brands has landed on the shores of the UK, promising to bring ‘True African Spirit’ to the nation.” 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.