Blacklisting waragi brands is not enough
Sep 05, 2009
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has blacklisted seven brands of local gin suspected to be adulterated with methanol, a poisonous chemical responsible for the death of 25 people in recent weeks.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has blacklisted seven brands of local gin suspected to be adulterated with methanol, a poisonous chemical responsible for the death of 25 people in recent weeks.
All the blacklisted brands were put on the market without the approval of UNBS, which is mandated to ensure that all manufactured goods meet the required standards.
However, blacklisting the brands is not enough. Loss of life to dangerous drinks should attract urgent attention from all relevant institutions. So far, no arrests have been made and there is no evidence that investigations have been given the deserved urgency. A UNBS official even said they did not know whether the 3R Zed, one of the blacklisted brands, is manufactured by 3R International, yet the latter is only 30 minutes drive and a phone call away from the standards agency.
This tragedy requires concerted efforts involving the Ministry of Health, UNBS, Police and other security agencies. The strategy should involve public awareness, prompt treatment of victims, thorough investigations and prompt action on culprits. Above all, the production and sale of alcohol in sachets should be banned because among other evils, they are easily produced in the backyards by unscrupulous, briefcase distillers. The ban may hurt some innocent businesses, but as long as it is beneficial to the general public, it is welcome.
All the blacklisted brands were put on the market without the approval of UNBS, which is mandated to ensure that all manufactured goods meet the required standards.
However, blacklisting the brands is not enough. Loss of life to dangerous drinks should attract urgent attention from all relevant institutions. So far, no arrests have been made and there is no evidence that investigations have been given the deserved urgency. A UNBS official even said they did not know whether the 3R Zed, one of the blacklisted brands, is manufactured by 3R International, yet the latter is only 30 minutes drive and a phone call away from the standards agency.
This tragedy requires concerted efforts involving the Ministry of Health, UNBS, Police and other security agencies. The strategy should involve public awareness, prompt treatment of victims, thorough investigations and prompt action on culprits. Above all, the production and sale of alcohol in sachets should be banned because among other evils, they are easily produced in the backyards by unscrupulous, briefcase distillers. The ban may hurt some innocent businesses, but as long as it is beneficial to the general public, it is welcome.