https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231209/ugandas-alcohol-bill-to-leave-over-a-million-residents-unemployed-producers-warn-1064035870.html
Uganda's Alcohol Bill to Leave Over a Million Residents Unemployed, Producers Warn
Uganda's Alcohol Bill to Leave Over a Million Residents Unemployed, Producers Warn
Sputnik Africa
A bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament in November proposing that anyone found selling alcohol after 10 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends should be... 09.12.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-12-09T12:04+0100
2023-12-09T12:04+0100
2023-12-09T12:45+0100
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Limiting the hours of alcohol sales will affect consumers, industry workers, and farmers alike, risking the loss of more than 1,300,000 jobs, Jackie Tahakanizibwa, the secretary general of the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA), told a consultative meeting at the Ministry of Finance.She reportedly added that the bill threatens the loss of income for more than 300,000 farmers and their families in over 32 districts in Uganda who produce raw materials for alcohol production such as sorghum, barley, cassava and maize.In addition, the legislation, if enacted, risks depriving the government of a significant loss of tax revenue.For her part, Evelyn Anite, Uganda's Minister of Finance, announced that the government will take stern measures against all unregistered companies dealing with alcohol.The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023 was introduced into the Ugandan Parliament on November 14 by MP Sarah Opendi, who argued that high levels of alcohol consumption affect the productivity of society, hence the need to regulate the production, sale and consumption of alcohol.In addition to limiting the hours of sale of alcohol, the bill seeks to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in passenger vehicles, to law enforcement officers, and to persons under the age of eighteen.Seychelles and Tanzania ranked second and third, while Mauritania and Somalia were the countries with the lowest alcohol consumption.
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Uganda's Alcohol Bill to Leave Over a Million Residents Unemployed, Producers Warn
12:04 09.12.2023 (Updated: 12:45 09.12.2023) A bill was tabled in Ugandan Parliament in November proposing that anyone found selling alcohol after 10 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends should be fined 20 million shillings ($5,300) or imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.
Limiting the hours of alcohol sales will affect consumers, industry workers, and farmers alike, risking the loss of more than 1,300,000 jobs, Jackie Tahakanizibwa, the secretary general of the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA), told a consultative meeting at the Ministry of Finance.
"This restriction on working hours has the potential to affect about 1,300,000 jobs and the livelihoods of approximately 6,300,000 people across the whole value chain, including manufacturers, grain growers, distributors, pubs, and clubs," Tahakanizibwa said, as quoted by local media.
She reportedly added that the bill threatens the loss of income for more than 300,000 farmers and their families in over 32 districts in Uganda who produce raw materials for
alcohol production such as sorghum, barley, cassava and maize.
In addition, the legislation, if enacted, risks depriving the government of a significant loss of tax revenue.
"The Bill’s economic implications are significant, with an anticipated budgetary loss of more than $1 trillion in alcohol-related taxes. Members of the UAIA are consistently listed among the top five taxpayers in the country, contributing more than 35% of the national tax base," Tahakanizibwa pointed out.
For her part, Evelyn Anite, Uganda's Minister of Finance, announced that the government will take stern measures against all unregistered companies dealing with alcohol.
The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023 was introduced into the Ugandan Parliament on November 14 by MP Sarah Opendi, who argued that high levels of alcohol consumption
affect the productivity of society, hence the need to regulate the production, sale and consumption of alcohol.
In addition to limiting the hours of sale of alcohol, the bill seeks to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in passenger vehicles, to law enforcement officers, and to persons under the age of eighteen.
According to WHO report issued in June titled "Monitoring Health for the SDGs and Sustainable Development," Uganda ranked first in alcohol consumption on the African continent, with each resident of the country consuming an average of 12.2 liters of alcohol.
Seychelles and Tanzania ranked second and third, while Mauritania and Somalia were the countries with the lowest alcohol consumption.
