The Kampala Capital City Traders Association (KACITA) has asked Parliament not to impose a time limit within which alcohol is sold in bars in Uganda. The traders say such a move infringes on leisure time for Ugandans.

“We need to understand that we have different behavioral changes and there are factors why they do happen. It is, actually, uncalled for. I don’t know whether the pushers of this bill have in mind that we have workers who have leave days! 

I don’t know whether they understand that people have their leisure time and so when you say before 5 pm and you haven’t put into consideration the clients that are contributing to this sector. I think it is wrong,” said Abel Mwesigwa, the Chief Executive of KACITA.

KACITA also wondered how the provision banning sell of alcohol in public service vehicles will be enforced, questioning if Police Officers will now be required to accompany all taxis and buses.

“Are we going to have enforcement officers in every taxi to check whether someone is drunk or if they are selling? We can’t. it isn’t practical,” said Mwesigwa.

The traders under KACITA were appearing before the Joint Parliament’s Committee of Health and Trade to present their views on the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023 that was tabled by Sarah Opendi, the District Woman MP for Tororo district. 

The Bill seeks to regulate the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcoholic drinks.