The ongoing scrutiny of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023 by the Members of Parliament on Health and Trade Committee, officials from the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU) have urged a shift in focus to address the underlying challenge of illicit alcohol. Dr. Julius Byaruhanga, PSFU Director of Policy and Business Development, emphasized that the bill does not apply to the sale of native alcohol, leading to increased illicit trade, currently at about 65%.
Byaruhanga highlighted the counter-productive nature of the bill, excluding native alcohol and potentially encouraging illicit production. He urged the committee to regulate illicit alcohol production, emphasizing the health implications and the loss of government revenue due to untaxed transactions.
The PSFU noted that the formal sector, already regulated by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), is self-regulating. Byaruhanga called for legislation to control the sale of illicit alcohol to address health concerns and support the formal alcohol industry.
Concerns were raised about Section 14 of the bill, restricting alcohol sales during specific hours, potentially impacting farmers supplying raw materials for brewing. Martin Maku, Agribusiness Sector Coordinator at PSFU, highlighted the use of sorghum, barley, cassava, and corn in alcoholic beverage production and warned of income loss for farmers.
Charles Batambuze, Vice Chairman National Culture Forum, expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on the creative industry, emphasizing the role of the alcohol sector as a significant employer in the arts.
Members of Parliament discussed the need to strike a balance between health and trade, considering the risks of unregulated alcohol sales, including access by underage children. Questions were raised about the consultation process and the economic impact report of the bill.
Tom Bright Amooti, MP for Kyaka Central County, criticized the lack of evidence for consultation with line ministries and the absence of an economic impact report, suggesting that the bill may be dead on arrival.
As the debate continues, stakeholders emphasize the importance of comprehensive legislation that addresses health concerns, promotes responsible consumption, and supports the growth of the formal alcohol industry.
