In her first major public address since being appointed Managing Director of Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), Felicite Nson unveiled her strategic vision for the company at the PeopleBrand House C-Suite Leadership Dialogue.
Speaking on the critical theme of “Leadership Succession and Career Progression,” Nson emphasised that UBL’s strength lies in its unique ability to perfectly balance deep institutional memory with the continuous infusion of fresh, new perspectives.
Legacy of Cultivating Pan-African Leaders
Nson highlighted UBL’s unparalleled history as a training ground for leadership that shapes the entire beverage industry across Africa.
She celebrated the successes of Ugandan talents who have risen through the ranks to take up continental roles, citing names like Mark Ocitti, Baker Magunda, Mark Mugisha, Estella Muzito, and Maureen Rutabingwa as “a powerful testament that this is where ambitious careers are built.”
This legacy of grooming internal talent is one of the dual strengths Nson is committed to nurturing.
She noted that UBL provides clear pathways for growth, visibility, and mentorship through its leadership development programs, ensuring that the company’s roots remain strong and grounded in local expertise.
Infusing New Perspectives for Continuous Growth
While honouring its internal talent pipeline, Nson affirmed that UBL also thrives by actively welcoming new perspectives. This strategy, she revealed, is realised through:
Inclusive Recruitment: Ensuring a diverse pool of talent is considered for all roles.
Graduate Programmes: Bringing in new, vibrant skills directly from educational institutions.
Infusion of Specialised Skills: Strategically bringing in external expertise to maintain a competitive edge.
Nson, who brings with her a decade of experience nurtured within the Diageo talent pipeline, shared her personal experience of the company’s “inclusive welcome.”
She stressed that her commitment is to deepen this dual strategy of growth from within and infusion from without, fostering a culture of continuous learning that keeps UBL ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving market.
Commitment to a Soaring Future
Defining true leadership, Nson stated, is about “honouring the roots that ground us while giving wings to the ambitions that propel us forward.”
As she settles into her historic role as the first female Managing Director of UBL, Nson’s commitment is simple: to invest deeply in people, create clear growth pathways, and build on UBL’s strong foundation.
She expressed her excitement to begin this new chapter with the talented team at UBL, affirming their collective goal to “give our collective ambitions the wings to soar as we continue to celebrate life every day and everywhere.”