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Police Push for Higher Bar Taxes to Limit Liquor Consumption in Uganda

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The Uganda Police have proposed new measures to reduce high alcohol consumption by recommending increased taxes on bars. This suggestion was presented to the House Committees on Health and Trade by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. James Ochaya, on Wednesday.

Ochaya argued that the higher taxes on bars would encourage Ugandans to consume alcohol at home rather than in public drinking establishments. Although the proposal did not detail the specific tax rates, Ochaya emphasized that the intention is to limit the number of bars and reduce public drinking.

“We should prefer liquor shops over bars by imposing fewer taxes on the former and higher taxes on the latter. This will discourage the opening of bars and encourage consumption of alcoholic drinks in home settings,” Ochaya stated.

The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill (2023), which was drafted last year by Tororo District Woman MP Ms. Sarah Opendi, seeks to establish strict regulations on the purchase, sale, and consumption of alcohol. Among its provisions, Clause 14 proposes limiting alcohol sales to specific hours: from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM on weekdays and from 12:00 PM to midnight on weekends. Violators of these regulations could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of Shs 20 million, or both.

The Police also recommended that bar operators be required to remove violent patrons to ensure the safety of other customers. They proposed extending these restrictions to water transport, citing concerns over alcohol-related accidents.

“Create a clause to provide for the prohibition of violence in drinking establishments and violent conduct by customers. Also, prohibit the admission of firearms and other dangerous weapons in public drinking places. This clause should mandate bar operators or their authorized agents to expel, discontinue, or exclude violent customers,” Ochaya added.

He also suggested including a ban on alcohol sales in public transport vessels such as boats, ferries, and ships, noting that these modes of transport are also susceptible to alcohol abuse.

However, the proposal faced criticism. Ntungamo Woman MP Ms. Joselyn Kamateneti argued that the restrictions on alcohol sales should be limited to those operating water vessels, such as captains, rather than affecting all passengers.

“I think this will be unfair to our economy. I suggest you restrict this to the captains of the ferries,” Kamateneti said. “People go on these boat cruises to enjoy life for entertainment or leisure, not prayers. If you say they aren’t supposed to drink and enjoy, you are suffocating the business. You can restrict the captain, but not the people using the ferry.”

Mbarara Woman MP Ms. Margaret Ayebare raised concerns about how lower-ranking police officers would enforce these rules against their senior colleagues. She questioned the practicality of enforcing the ban on alcohol consumption by police officers who may be seen buying alcohol in uniform.

“I am wondering who is going to arrest an officer or Commissioner in uniform. You are the law yourself; you are the implementer yourself. I want clarification on how a senior Police Officer, dressed in uniform and asking for a bottle of beer or waragi, will be arrested for buying alcohol while in uniform,” she said.