UGANDA: Vice Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference Appeals to Government to regulate sales and consumption of Alcohol

The Vice Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) and Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa has appealed to the government of Uganda to come up with strong rules to regulate the sales and consumption of alcohol in the Country.

He made appeal while presiding over the National Conference of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the sacred of Heart of Jesus, an event held at St Mary’s National Major Seminary Ggaba in Kampala on 21^st September 2019.

Addressing the Press shortly after the function, the Bishop who is the patron of the Pioneer Association said there is need for government to put laws that can minimize the excessive consumption of alcohol in a bid to curb down the damages emanating from reckless drinking.

The Bishop said, the rampant cases of school dropout in the Country are a reality because young people are getting involved in alcohol abuse without control.

He further disclosed the need for government to pay keen attention not only on alcohol abuse but also the use of other time bomb illicit drugs, citing Marijuana and others.

Beside strong laws, the prelate went on to say that timely action like community sensitization on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption should be taken in order to save the future of the youth whom he said are the majority in the Country.

The Bishop who doubles as the vice Chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal conference noted with concern that many families are being thrown in to conflict because of the influence of alcohol and other drugs.

He said even if a ban was put on the sales of sachet waragi in the Country, additional intervention is still needed to regulate the excessive alcohol consumption in Uganda.

He expressed fear that currently School environment are surrounded by the huge Bill Boards containing adverts of alcohol saying this could be the factor compelling the school growing children to drinking.

Filled with sympathy, the Bishop revealed that many young people in the Country are going to suffer from mental failure and other diseases if the matter is not well handled.

In August this year, some members of parliament tasked the minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Amelia Kyambadde to investigate the authenticity and the content of the roaming energy drinks that are spread in the market.

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By Isaac Ojok, St. Mary’s National Major Seminary Ggaba