Parliament has rejected the Alcohol Control Bill, 2023 that sought to control the acquisition, promote and consumption of alcohol.
The personal members Bill that was launched for the primary time by Tororo District Woman Representative, Hon. Sarah Opendi in November 2023 additionally aimed to control the time and premises the place alcohol can be bought in Uganda.
The determination to reject the processing of the Bill adopted the presentation of the report from the Committees of Trade and Health by Hon. Sylvia Nayebare through the plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa on Tuesday, 13 August 2024.
The Committees argued that if handed within the present state, the Bill would impose a monetary implication on the Consolidated Fund.
“The committee subsequently, recommends that this august House shouldn’t proceed on the movement for Second Reading of the Alcoholic Drinks (Control) Bill, 2023,” Nayebare mentioned including that, ‘this being a Private Member’s Bill, the committee is constrained to contemplate the proposed amendments that have an impact of imposing a monetary cost on the Consolidated Fund’.
The committee additionally urged authorities to give attention to the illicit commerce of alcohol which accounts for 65 per cent of all of the alcohol consumed within the nation, saying the brand new invoice doesn’t point out the way it intends to eradicate the illicit commerce in alcoholic drinks
“The committee notes that whereas regulation of the Alcohol business is sweet, such regulation must be honest, balanced, evidence-based and sustainable considering the assorted stakeholders,” the committee report learn partly.
Aruu County Member of Parliament, Hon. Christopher Komakech who moved introduced a minority report mentioned that the Bill is important and would go a good distance in regulating the sector and resolve the associated challenges.
“Restricting the hours of sale is an efficient step in creating a way of duty for residents who can not management their consumption behaviors,” he argued.
The Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka urged MPs in opposition to debating the Bill.
“I strongly advise that and pray that as a way to keep away from inflicting regulatory confusion, we wholly reject this Bill after which the nice concepts that we now have picked from this Bill right here, we will discover the mandatory legal guidelines the place there are speculated to be enter,” Kiryowa Kiwanuka mentioned including that, ‘there may be nothing on this invoice which isn’t regulated by an present legislation besides the time of sale of alcohol which may also be managed by licensing’.
While transferring the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023 for second studying, Opendi argued that the Bill intends to guard shoppers from alcohol abuse.
“We want income however we additionally want a wholesome inhabitants that will probably be productive to help this financial system,” she mentioned.
