The Alcohol Control Bill: A Legislative Roadblock

The parliament dismissed the Alcohol Control Bill spearheaded by Sarah Opendi, the Woman MP for Tororo District on Tuesday. This bill didn’t advance past its second reading after a joint report from the Committees on Health and Trade exposed several flaws in the proposal. Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, also raised legal concerns, saying that the bill conflicted with existing laws.

Sara Opendi’s bill planned to help reduce excessive alcohol consumption by regulating the manufacture, importation, sale, consumption, and advertisement of alcoholic beverages. It also aimed at prohibiting selling alcohol to individuals under 18 years and limiting the hours of bar operations.

Under the bill, it’s also stated that bars would be allowed to operate only between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays and from noon until midnight on weekends and public holidays.

The Joint Committees on Health and Trade however argued that the bill would lead to significant economic losses, including increased costs, reduced sales, and potential job losses. They claim that the restrictions on advertising and increased taxes would make it difficult for them to operate profitably.

Some Members of Parliament have also voiced their opposition, citing concerns about the bill’s potential to restrict personal choices and freedoms. The committees also argued that the restrictions and increased taxes would harm Uganda’s night economy hence potentially resulting in job losses and business closures. It’s also been noted that some MPs have expressed concerns that the bill would hurt the tourism industry, which relies heavily on alcohol sales.

Additionally, the joint committee also agreed that the restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol would limit personal choices and freedoms. Some have said that the bill would unfairly target low-income individuals who rely on alcohol as a source of income.

In addition to the main bill, incorporating alcohol abuse education into the national school curriculum to foster responsible drinking habits from a young age was proposed. In addition, a minority report presented by MPs Dr. Timothy Batuwa and Dr. Nicholas Kamara advocated for regulating alcohol consumption hours, citing successful international examples like India. They argued that restrictions would promote responsible drinking, and boost productivity amongst citizens and society at large. 

However, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka strongly opposed the bill, citing duplication of existing laws and potential regulatory confusion. He also emphasized the lack of a Certificate of Financial Implication, which would impose an unnecessary financial burden on the government.

After weighing the arguments, Parliament ultimately voted against the Alcohol Control Bill. This decision marked the culmination of the bill’s journey, leaving the regulation of alcohol consumption and sales unchanged. The rejection highlighted the challenges of balancing public health concerns with economic and regulatory considerations.