IRCU Proposes For A Ban On Sale Of Alcohol In Public Vehicles,
The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has rejected some of the penalties stipulated in the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023, saying they are too punitive to resolve the issue of alcoholism in Uganda.
“The penalties seem to be more punitive than corrective in nature especially in respect to time of imprisonment & fines proposed.
The IRCU recommends the introduction of corrective and reformatory measures to allow for reformation, rehabilitation, retribution, deterrence and restitution. Therefore, Parliament should provide for mandatory awareness, rehabilitation and socio-economic empowerment programmes to reduce alcoholic consumption and abuse," said Serwadda.
The Council has proposed to have the ban on sale of alcohol in public vehicles to be extended to private vehicles & have Gov’t provide licenses for special vehicles to engage in the sell, distribution and transportation of alcohol in Uganda.
Artists and comedians have asked Parliament to reject the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023 warning that any attempt to impose a time limit within which alcohol is sold in entertainment places will cripple Uganda’s night economy.
Hannington Bugingo, President of Uganda Comedians Association wondered why Parliament has put more focus in the fight against alcohol, yet Uganda is riddled with more cancerous problems like corruption that are eating up the nation.
"Let us go back to the drawing table as a nation because we are in a catastrophe. What measures have they put in place to fight corruption? Practically none, so why are we running away from the number one cancer which is corruption and then run to probably cancer that isn’t as dangerous as corruption.
Let us rethink what we are evaluating and we enforce the laws that are there to make sure that people aren’t alcoholics and also address the unemployment because many of the young people are drinking because they don’t have jobs,” said Bugingo.
However, Artists and comedians have asked Parliament to reject the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023 warning that any attempt to impose a time limit within which alcohol is sold in entertainment places will cripple Uganda’s night economy.
Hannington Bugingo, President of Uganda Comedians Association wondered why Parliament has put more focus in the fight against alcohol, yet Uganda is riddled with more cancerous problems like corruption that are eating up the nation.
"Let us go back to the drawing table as a nation because we are in a catastrophe. What measures have they put in place to fight corruption? Practically none, so why are we running away from the number one cancer which is corruption and then run to probably cancer that isn’t as dangerous as corruption.
Let us rethink what we are evaluating and we enforce the laws that are there to make sure that people aren’t alcoholics and also address the unemployment because many of the young people are drinking because they don’t have jobs,” said Bugingo.
The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill was presented to Parliament on 14th November 2023 by the Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi, and the bill seeks to regulate the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcoholic drinks among others.
Once assented too, the law will state the time of sale of Alcohol & deal with producers of illicit alcohol which is harmful to peoples lives among others.According to Hon Sarah Opendi.
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