The Ugandan Parliament has rejected the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023, citing concerns over its lack of clarity on the problem it aims to address and the potential financial implications it could impose on the consolidated fund.
The Attorney General, Kiwanuka Kiryowa, highlighted that the bill violates Article 93(a)(2) of the 1995 Constitution.
This bill, in our view, offends Article 93(a)(2) of the Constitution, which provides that you shall not proceed with a bill that has a financial implication on the consolidated fund or an alteration of the same.
From the reading of the majority report, you can clearly see that the implementation of this bill, if passed, will have an effect on the consolidated fund.
Kiryowa also argued that the issues addressed by the proposed bill are already covered under existing laws.
He pointed out that the only new aspect introduced by the bill is the regulation of the sale of alcohol by time, which he believes can be managed through licensing rather than through new legislation.
Additionally, he mentioned that the bill contradicts the Employment Act, further complicating its potential implementation.
The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023 was introduced in November last year by Hon. Sarah Opendi, a Member of Parliament representing Tororo District under the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The bill aimed to prohibit the sale of alcohol to minors and to regulate alcohol consumption more strictly. Among the provisions, the bill sought to ban the sale of alcohol beyond 10 p.m. on weekdays and after midnight on weekends.
Violations of these rules would result in hefty fines of UGX 20 million or a minimum imprisonment of 10 years.