Felicite Nson has today taken over from Andrew Itambo Kilonzo as the new Managing Director for Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), a subsidiary of Diageo East African Breweries, becoming the first woman to ever be appointed to the highest position of the iconic brand. Kilonzo has been appointed to lead Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL). This strategic leadership transition signals a new chapter for UBL, with a clear focus on deepening market penetration and accelerating growth.
With over 20 years of leadership experience across Africa, Nson brings a formidable track record of driving business growth and transformation. Her most recent role as Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC provides a compelling preview of what her leadership could mean for UBL’s market share in Uganda.
Under her guidance, Guinness Ghana became Diageo’s fastest-growing market in Africa, achieving a remarkable 36% year-on-year increase in revenue and an 83% rise in operating profit in the first half of Financial Year 2025. This proven success in a competitive African market suggests that Nson is equipped with the strategies and expertise to significantly impact UBL’s performance.
The company’s focus will likely shift to more aggressive market penetration and innovation to capture a larger share of the beverage market.
Chairman of the Board, Jimmy D. Mugerwa, noted that Nson’s appointment “…reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening leadership and succession planning.” He lauded the outgoing MD, Kilonzo, for his pivotal role in steering UBL through the post-pandemic recovery and reinforcing its market position.
Nson is expected to build on this solid foundation, leveraging her expertise to drive market-centric strategies that will boost sales and expand the company’s reach. Her appointment is not just a milestone for gender diversity; it is a calculated strategic move to inject proven, high-performance leadership into UBL at a time when the market is ripe for further growth.
The board’s confidence in her ability to “deepen our market penetration” underscores a clear ambition to increase UBL’s dominance and secure a stronger competitive advantage in Uganda.