Let’s end the year in safety

Dec 30, 2009

Tonight we are not only rounding a year but also a decade. This is enough reason to celebrate and shake off the worries and struggles of daily life.

Tonight we are not only rounding a year but also a decade. This is enough reason to celebrate and shake off the worries and struggles of daily life.

However, as we go out to party and usher in the new year, let us remember to do so safely, responsibly and respecting other people’s rights.

Alcohol abuse has become widespread in Uganda, both in urban and rural areas. As household incomes go up under the Prosperity for All programme, the extra money is often spent on waragi, malwa or bottled beer.

Even the President recently complained that many Ugandans waste their money on alcohol instead of spending it on productive activities.

“Whenever I drive through Sembabule town going to my ranch in Kisozi I find all bars open, people spending money and idling in late hours. This should stop. Alcohol is a big problem to this nation,” he said at a rally in Sembabule earlier this month.

He wondered how people could fail to buy a goat or rear chicken but have plenty of money to buy beer in crates.

Alcohol abuse deprives the rest of the family of much-needed cash for food, clothes or school fees, thus defying the very aim of the Prosperity for All programme.

Alcoholism is also responsible for domestic violence and deadly accidents. It is not rare to find drunk drivers on major roads in weekends, dangerously manoeuvring, struggling to stay on the road or sliding into the wrong lane.

The Police should carry out alcohol tests on roads leading to major party venues and remove drunk drivers from the road as a way of protecting the general public.
But party-goers should also be more responsible by limiting the level of alcohol or appointing one person in the company who will remain sober and ensure that everybody reaches home safely.

Let us not spoil a great evening by allowing it to end in bloodshed, violence or death.

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