The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023 has been kicked to the curb by the Ugandan Parliament. The bill, which aimed to tighten the screws on alcohol regulation, fell short due to concerns over its vagueness and potential strain on the nation’s finances.
The Attorney General, Kiwanuka Kiryowa, led the charge against the bill, waving a constitutional red flag. According to Kiryowa, the bill clashes with Article 93(a)(2) of the 1995 Constitution, which protects the consolidated fund from unexpected financial burdens. In his words,
“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.”
Kiryowa argued that the bill, introduced by Hon. Sarah Opendi of Tororo District last November, was a bit of a redundant move. He pointed out that the concerns addressed in the bill—like regulating alcohol sales—are already managed under current laws. The bill’s novel idea of time-based alcohol sales restrictions was seen as something that could be tackled with existing licensing frameworks rather than a whole new legislative overhaul.
In addition, Kiryowa flagged a potential clash with the Employment Act, which could make the bill’s implementation even more complex.
The bill's key provisions included banning alcohol sales beyond 10 p.m. on weekdays and after midnight on weekends, with violations risking hefty fines of UGX 20 million or a minimum 10-year prison sentence. Despite these stringent measures, the Parliament decided that the proposed bill was not the right mix for Uganda's current legislative cocktail.
