UPC commends legislation on alcohol control
Sep 26, 2019
The legislation will address intoxication, public safety, health impacts and the availability of alcohol
The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has hailed the government on the recently approved National Alcohol Control Policy.
The cabinet proposal of September 23, 2019, sets tough rules to regulate the consumption of alcohol.
Addressing journalists at a weekly press conference in Kampala on Wednesday, the party spokesperson, Michael Osinde, disclosed that the rate at which the people, mostly youth, consume alcohol undermines the productivity of the population.
"The rate at which people especially the youth are consuming alcohol is worrying. If the policy is approved and implemented, it will address health and productivity concerns," Osinde said.
The legislation if approved by Parliament will among others, address intoxication, public safety, health impacts, availability of alcohol and research into the use and abuse of alcohol in Uganda.
It is also intended at revamping community awareness about the degree and determinants of the health, social, and economic problems related to the dangerous use of alcohol.
Osinde added that the policy will help in demonstrating the government's commitment to addressing alcohol-related harms from an informed point of view.
"UPC takes pride in congratulating the cabinet for looking through the alcohol matter that has been the party's concern and took a decision on passing the policy," Osinde noted.
In 2016, the Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze tabled the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill though it hit a deadlock.
The latest policy which was drafted in 2018 sets out to display of punitive measures aimed at stopping alcohol abuse.
These include a ban on the sale of alcohol by minors, prohibiting alcohol consumption at public functions and imposing liability on individuals who sell liquor to already intoxicated people.