Uganda Breweries’ Greenwashing Tactics in the Name of Sustainability

Posted on October 24, 2024 in Diageo, Manipulation, Uganda

Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), a subsidiary of Diageo, one of the world’s largest alcohol companies, recently announced its 2024 sustainability partners for the Bell Lager ObaFest event. The announcement, framed as a commitment to sustainability, is part of a growing trend of greenwashing – where corporations use environmental initiatives as a smokescreen to distract from the harm caused by their core business.

First, let’s be clear: Uganda Breweries is owned by Diageo, a global alcohol giant whose business model is built on the sale of alcoholic beverages that contribute significantly to health issues such as liver disease, cancer, and addiction. Alcohol harm extends far beyond health, affecting families, communities, and the economy. Diageo’s involvement in promoting “sustainability” through UBL conveniently glosses over the fact that its products contribute to widespread societal harm.

As highlighted in the Movendi International report on Alcohol and the SDGs, the alcohol industry’s activities are in direct conflict with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Alcohol negatively impacts health, poverty, and equality – issues that cannot be addressed through token sustainability projects.

This greenwashing is not just misleading; it is dangerous. By promoting themselves as environmentally conscious, companies like Uganda Breweries distract policymakers and the public from the urgent need to address alcohol harm, instead shifting the conversation to less impactful environmental initiatives. In reality, the true path to sustainability must include reducing alcohol use and implementing more ambitious policies on alcohol marketing, availability, and consumption.

Manipulation is Big Alcohol’s activity to control its image. The alcohol industry engages in manipulation activities to protect and cultivate their image and the values of their brands. Deploying manipulation strategies serves for Big Alcohol to appear as “good corporate citizens”. The focus of the DUBIOUS FIVE strategy of manipulation is the alcohol company, their brands and value. Examples are Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), green-washing, pink-washing, rainbow-washing, or white-washing activities.

Sources:
https://www.nilepost.co.ug/business/222282/uganda-breweries-limited-announces-sustainability-partners-for-2024-bell-obafest
Movendi International – Alcohol and the SDGs Report

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