Parliament rejects lifting ban on gin sachets
Oct 28, 2009
MPs have rejected lifting the ban on the manufacturing, distribution and sale of gin packed in plastic sachets.
By Catherine Bekunda and Cyprian Musoke
MPs have rejected lifting the ban on the manufacturing, distribution and sale of gin packed in plastic sachets.
Last month, Parliament rejected to back the ban when it was instituted by the health ministry.
Several MPs at the time opposed it, arguing that not all gin packed in sachets was poisonous.
However, yesterday, presenting a statement on the measures taken to ensure the quality and safety of spirits, the tourism, trade and industry state minister, Simon Lokodo, asked the ban to be lifted.
He said his ministry was testing the stocks of spirits on the market.
Responding to Lokodo’s request, the Speaker, Edward Sekandi and MPs Alice Alaso (FDC), William Nsubuga (NRM) and Beatrice Anywar (FDC) said lifting the ban would endanger people’s life.
Health state minister Richard Nduhura said alcohol should be packaged in glass bottles of not less than 250ml.
“If we lift the ban and several people die, Parliament will be condemned,†Nsubuga said.
Opposition Chief Whip Kassiano Wadri said the Uganda National Bureau of Standards lacked the manpower to test all the stock.
He said when the ban was instituted, many people hoarded gin.
“Lifting the ban is immature because the hoarded gin will be brought back onto the market,†Wadri observed.
Deaths were reported in the districts of Kasese, Mpigi and Kampala between the months of June and August as a result of people consuming poisonous gin containing methanol. Over 30 people are said to have died.
MPs have rejected lifting the ban on the manufacturing, distribution and sale of gin packed in plastic sachets.
Last month, Parliament rejected to back the ban when it was instituted by the health ministry.
Several MPs at the time opposed it, arguing that not all gin packed in sachets was poisonous.
However, yesterday, presenting a statement on the measures taken to ensure the quality and safety of spirits, the tourism, trade and industry state minister, Simon Lokodo, asked the ban to be lifted.
He said his ministry was testing the stocks of spirits on the market.
Responding to Lokodo’s request, the Speaker, Edward Sekandi and MPs Alice Alaso (FDC), William Nsubuga (NRM) and Beatrice Anywar (FDC) said lifting the ban would endanger people’s life.
Health state minister Richard Nduhura said alcohol should be packaged in glass bottles of not less than 250ml.
“If we lift the ban and several people die, Parliament will be condemned,†Nsubuga said.
Opposition Chief Whip Kassiano Wadri said the Uganda National Bureau of Standards lacked the manpower to test all the stock.
He said when the ban was instituted, many people hoarded gin.
“Lifting the ban is immature because the hoarded gin will be brought back onto the market,†Wadri observed.
Deaths were reported in the districts of Kasese, Mpigi and Kampala between the months of June and August as a result of people consuming poisonous gin containing methanol. Over 30 people are said to have died.