MP Sarah Opendi Proposes Stringent Measures Against Illicit Alcohol Sales

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Tororo district Woman MP Sarah Opendi has introduced rigorous penalties, including a potential ten-year jail term or a hefty sh20 Million fine, for the unauthorized sale of alcoholic beverages. This proposal, discussed in the context of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023, was presented to the House Committee on Health.

Opendi’s legislation, brought forward for parliamentary consideration, seeks to regulate the entire alcohol production, sales, and consumption landscape, including a prohibition on selling alcohol to minors. The unveiling of this bill took place during a recent session held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Uganda’s Government, in line with its poverty eradication policy, aims to bolster the country’s overall health and socio-economic conditions. While acknowledging the societal and economic roles of alcohol, the Government is also mindful of its adverse consequences when misused, exerting substantial costs on individuals and communities.

Scientific studies continuously illuminate the negative health, social, and economic impacts stemming from alcohol misuse, spanning from personal disruptions to broader national developmental hurdles. Notably, Uganda grapples with an increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases, encompassing hypertension, cancer, diabetes, mental health conditions, and chronic heart diseases.

The link between alcohol consumption and the heightened risk of developing these diseases, coupled with its damaging effects on bodily organs and association with conditions like alcohol dependence and liver cirrhosis, remains a focal point of concern.

Butabika National Referral Hospital, among other healthcare institutions, reports a substantial influx of alcohol-related cases, attributing approximately 20% of admissions to alcohol or drug-related issues, with alcohol contributing over 40%.

WHO surveys conducted in 2014 revealed alarmingly high percentages of heavy alcohol users in Uganda, surpassing regional averages in per capita alcohol consumption.

The intertwining of alcohol consumption with risky behaviors, including unsafe sexual practices and substance abuse, along with its link to drug dependency and sexually transmitted infections, underscores its broader societal implications.

Recognizing the multifaceted impact of alcohol, Uganda underscores the necessity for collaborative efforts across various sectors to effectively implement policies addressing alcohol-related issues.

International resolutions, including the World Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol and the Sustainable Development Goals’ emphasis on mitigating substance abuse, reinforce Uganda’s commitment to curbing alcohol’s detrimental effects.

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