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Uganda Police Backs Alcohol Sale Time Limit, Proposes Higher Taxes on Bars

Summary:

  • Clause 14 of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill proposes that alcohol sales in Uganda be limited to between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM on working days and between 12:00 Noon and 12:00 AM on public holidays and weekends.

KAMPALA: The Uganda Police Force has supported the proposal to impose a time limit on the sale of alcohol in Uganda.

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However, they have also asked Parliament to strengthen the provision by imposing higher taxes on bars to control the proliferation of bars across the country and encourage alcohol consumption at home.

The proposal was made by James Ocaya, Deputy Inspector General of Police, on Wednesday while appearing before Parliament’s Joint Committee of Health and Trade to present the Force’s views on the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023. This bill was tabled in August 2023 by Sarah Opendi (Tororo DWR).

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Clause 14 of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill proposes that alcohol sales in Uganda be limited to between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM on working days and between 12:00 Noon and 12:00 AM on public holidays and weekends. This restriction does not apply to licensed tourist camps, nightclubs, theaters, fetes, bazaars, or trade shows.

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Opendi further proposed a penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of UGX 20 million, or both for anyone who contravenes these provisions.

The Police did not oppose the provision but called for its further strengthening. Ocaya suggested, “Liquor shops should be preferred over bars by imposing less taxes on the latter and higher taxes on the former. This is to discourage opening of bars anywhere and encourage consumption of alcoholic drinks from home settings.”

The Uganda Police Force welcomed the enactment of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, arguing that it will be critical in reducing crimes perpetrated by alcoholism.

Additionally, the Uganda Police has asked Parliament to extend the ban on the sale of alcohol in public service vehicles to include water transport, citing that these means of transportation are also prone to accidents resulting from alcohol abuse.

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“Prohibition of sale of alcohol in public service vehicles should include water vessels, for example, boats, ferries, and ships used as public transport. Water transport is a recognized means of transport and is as well prone to alcohol abuse,” Ocaya added.

However, Joselyn Kamateneti (Ntungamo DWR) rejected the provision, arguing that banning the sale of alcohol on boat cruises would infringe on Ugandans’ rights to entertainment. Instead, she suggested that the ban should be imposed on the captains steering the water vessels.

“I think this will be unfair to our economy. I suggest that you restrict this to the captains of the ferries. People go on these boat cruises to enjoy life for entertainment or leisure, not prayers. By the way, very few people go on these boat cruises to pray, so if you are saying they aren’t supposed to drink and enjoy, I am very sure you are suffocating the business. You can restrict the captain, but not the people who are using the ferry,” said Kamateneti.

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The Uganda Police Force has also asked Parliament to include a provision in the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill to ban the entry of persons with firearms and dangerous weapons into bars and give bar operators the authority to expel violent customers who may harm others.

“Create a clause to provide for prohibition of violence in drinking joints at the same time prohibiting violent conduct by customers and admission of firearms and other dangerous weapons in public drinking places. [Include a] clause to impose mandate and or duty on the operator of the bar or their authorized agents to expel, discontinue or exclude violent customers from the rest,” explained James Ocaya, Deputy Inspector of Police.

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