Scientists and civil society Organizations are up in arms over the Parliament’s decision to reject the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023.
On Tuesday this week, Parliament rejected the bill which had returned for a second reading.
The organizations which include the Uganda Alcohol Policy, Non-Communicable Disease Alliance, Uganda Girl Guides Association, and Makerere University School of Public Health say Parliament errored in rejecting the bill on what they termed as baseless ground.
According to Prof. Nazarius Tumwesigye, working with the Makerere School of Public Health, statistics indicate that at least 17,000 people die each year in Uganda due to Alcohol-related problems.
“Let me give you one simple example did you know that in addition to being the high alcohol per capita consumers we also have high rates of people with mental health problems, 30% of all Ugandans have an issue with mental health and much of this is contributed by alcohol consumption.” Tumwesigye stated.
He says therefore leaving the sector un-regulated, it will be reckless and irresponsible for the country to expose its citizens to such danger.
