The Uganda Police Force has urged Parliament to incorporate measures to enhance safety in bars.
They recommend a ban on the entry of firearms and dangerous weapons into these establishments and advocate for granting bar operators the authority to expel customers who exhibit violent behavior.
The recommendations were presented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, James Ocaya, during a session with Parliament’s Joint Committee of Health and Trade. The committee was reviewing the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023, initially introduced by Sarah Opendi, the Woman MP for Tororo District, in August 2023.
James Ocaya emphasized the need for provisions that prevent violence in drinking venues and prohibit the admission of weapons.
He stated, “Create a clause to provide for the prohibition of violence in drinking joints at the same time prohibiting violent conduct by customers and admission of firearms and other dangerous weapons in public drinking places. Clause to impose mandate and or duty on the operator of the bar or their authorized agents to expel, discontinue or exclude violent customers from the rest.”
Ochaya also voiced support for a proposal to limit the hours during which alcohol can be sold in Uganda, while also calling for higher taxes on bars to curb their rapid proliferation across the country.
The bill’s Clause 14 suggests restricting alcohol sales to between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM on weekdays, and from 12:00 Noon to 12:00 Midnight on public holidays and weekends. Exceptions would be made for licensed tourist camps, nightclubs, theaters, fetes, bazaars, and trade shows. The bill also proposes severe penalties for non-compliance, including up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of 20 million Ugandan Shillings, or both.
Furthermore, the police suggested expanding the prohibition of alcohol sales in public service vehicles to include water transport, such as boats, ferries, and ships. Ocaya noted that these modes of transport are equally susceptible to accidents resulting from alcohol misuse.
However, the proposal to ban alcohol sales on water vessels was met with opposition from Joselyn Kamateneti, the Woman MP for Ntungamo District.
Kamateneti argued that such a restriction would infringe upon Ugandans’ rights to entertainment and could harm the economy. She proposed that the ban should apply only to the captains steering the vessels, allowing passengers to enjoy alcohol responsibly.
“I think this will be unfair to our economy. I suggest that you restrict this to the captains of the ferries. People go on these boat cruises to enjoy life for entertainment or leisure, not prayers by the way; there are very few people who go on these boat cruises to go and pray, so if you are saying they aren’t supposed to drink and enjoy, I am very sure you are suffocating the business. You can restrict the captain, but not the people who are using the ferry,” Kamateneti stated.
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