MPs’ rejection of Alcohol Control Bill sparks backlash from civil society

The rejection of the draft Alcohol Control Bill, 2023, by Uganda’s parliament in August 2024 has ignited widespread criticism from civil society organizations, which argue that the decision reflects a concerning prioritization of economic interests over public health.

The Bill, which sought to regulate the purchase, sale, and consumption of alcohol, was viewed by health advocates as a crucial step toward addressing Uganda’s growing alcohol-related health crisis. However, its dismissal has raised questions about the balance between economic considerations, particularly in relation to the alcohol industry, and the urgent need for public health interventions.

Civil society leaders contend that by rejecting the Bill, parliament has missed an opportunity to address a critical public health issue. Uganda consistently ranks among the highest consumers of alcohol in Africa, a statistic that has been linked to a range of social and economic problems, including increased rates of domestic violence, school dropouts, and preventable diseases.

Despite these pressing concerns, parliament’s decision has been interpreted as a reluctance to implement measures that might disrupt economic activities tied to alcohol production and sales. Chris Kwizera, executive director of the Uganda Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, criticized the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

“To imagine that our entire parliament would claim we don’t need a law to regulate alcohol—do we prioritize economics over health? Should we let Uganda continue leading Africa in alcohol consumption without any checks?” he questioned.

Civil society organizations, including the Uganda Girl Guide Association and the Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance, expressed concerns that the rejection undermines efforts to combat the negative effects of alcohol on Ugandan society. “We have seen children drop out of school because their parents are consumed by alcohol. Others are living on the streets due to domestic violence fueled by drunkenness,” said Suzan Namarome, chief commissioner of the Uganda Girl Guide Association.

The Bill, introduced by Tororo district Woman representative Sarah Opendi in November 2023, sought to limit alcohol sales to specific hours (5 pm and 10 pm on weekdays) and enforce stricter licensing and location requirements for bars and production plants. The legislation aimed to address Uganda’s high alcohol consumption rates, which are among the highest in Africa, according to the Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has consistently ranked Uganda as a leading global alcohol consumer, a trend that has persisted for over three decades. Reports indicate that Uganda has a per capita alcohol consumption rate of 12.21 litres per year, the highest in East Africa.

Despite these statistics, parliament rejected the Bill, with the Trade and Health committees arguing that the proposed legislation would place an additional financial burden on the government. The committees recommended that parliament focus on tackling the illicit alcohol trade, which accounts for 65 per cent of all alcohol consumed in the country.

“Whereas regulation of the alcohol industry is good, such regulation should be fair, balanced, evidence-based, and sustainable,” the committee’s report read.

Public health experts, however, argue that alcohol abuse continues to have devastating consequences for Uganda. Prof Nazarius Tumwesigye from Makerere School of Public Health noted that 17,000 people die annually from alcohol-related problems.

“In addition to being high alcohol consumers, we also have high rates of mental health issues—30 per cent of Ugandans suffer from mental health problems, many of which are linked to alcohol consumption,” Tumwesigye said.

Despite parliament’s rejection of the Bill, a minority report from MPs Dr Timothy Batuwa and Dr Nicholas Kamara supported regulation, citing successful alcohol control policies in countries like Singapore and India. They argued that restricting alcohol sales would promote responsible drinking and improve productivity among citizens.

However, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka opposed the Bill, claiming it duplicated existing laws and lacked a Certificate of Financial Implication. He also warned that passing the Bill would create regulatory confusion. Amid the ongoing debate, new data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) reveals a rise in alcohol-related cancers in Uganda.

Since 1990, the country has experienced a 20 per cent increase in cancers caused by alcohol. In 2021 alone, alcohol was responsible for at least 8,800 deaths, including 1,200 cancer-related fatalities. Despite these alarming statistics, the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA) argued that the Bill focused on the wrong issues, urging parliament to address the illicit alcohol trade instead.

However, health experts like Dr David Kalema, a WHO consultant on alcohol issues in Uganda, insist that comprehensive legislation is essential to protect public health.

As civil society organizations continue to push for stronger alcohol regulations, the debate over whether parliament will reconsider the Alcohol Control Bill remains ongoing. With 7.1 per cent of Uganda’s alcohol consumers— roughly 3.2 million people—struggling with alcohol use disorders, many are calling for urgent action to address the harmful effects of unchecked alcohol consumption.