Nebbi bans sale of alcohol before noon

By Benedict Okethwengu

NEBBI district has enacted an ordinance, which outlaws daytime sale and consumption of alcohol.

The ordinance also prohibits transportation and consumption of alcoholic drinks in sachets and the local gin, Kasese.

The district secretary for production and natural resources, Jacqueline Opar, told New Vision that the council passed the Production and Environment Management Ordinance, 2013, late last year.

The ordinance also prohibits unlicensed gambling in the district. She explained that the ordinance awaits approval by the Attorney General, before it takes effect.

The ordinance provides for a fine not exceeding two currency points (sh40,000) or imprisonment for not more than six months or both for any person found drunk or selling alcohol before midday.

“All persons operating bars and drinking joints shall run their business from 12:00pm to midnight. And any person found drunk shall be arrested and produced in court,” it reads in part.

Opar said the district enacted the legislation to complement existing laws on food production in the district.

She added that they were optimistic that with the ordinance in place, food security, nutrition and income at household level will be improved.

“We want to increase production and promote sustainable natural resources and environmental management,” Opar said.

Opar said to ensure that all households comply with the provisions on producing and preserving food, household heads shall be expected at all times to reserve a stock of not less than 100kg of cereals in a granary.

She noted that households will only be allowed to use the stored food with permission from the relevant authorities.

“Household heads will ensure that 100kg of one type of cereal crop is stored in the granary, and such stocks shall only be used with permission from the village chairpersons,” she said.

Robert Omito, the councillor for Alwi sub-county, welcomed the move, saying it would help address the problem of idleness and non-productivity, which is cropping up, especially among the youth in the district.