Hillary Onek, the Minister in- Charge of Disaster Preparedness and Reliefs has called on local governments in Acholi sub region to enact a by-law that will put a total ban on the consumption of waragi packed in sachets.
Addressing leaders from Acholi sub region recently in Gulu town, Minister Onek warned that consuming large quantity of such waragi could cause infertility in men questioning how the drinks are made before it is supplied to the market.
Minister Onek revealed he suspects that some of the ingredients used for making sachet such alcoholic drinks are chemicals used for making soaps.
According Onek, one’s body organ may fail to work due to the toxics in the body as a result taking such adulterated gin.
This comes on the heel of increasing cases of suicides and deaths attributed to alcohol abuse among the families in northern Uganda. With no background in formal education, youth have found solace in drug abuse and gambling.
The Prime Minister for the Acholi cultural institution, Ambrose Olaa, also noted that alcoholism has become a big threat to the livelihoods in post conflict northern Uganda. Olaa says excessive drinking is killing development in Acholi sub region.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu district LCV Chairperson has said around 1 billion shillings spent annually by consumers on crude waragi in the Acholi sub region. Mapenduzi revealed that 21 million shilling is spent on waragi each month in Gulu.
In 2010, a total of 31 people died and 17 others went blind after they are suspected to have consumed locally brewed alcohol.
In October last year, members of the Gulu District Local Council tabled the first draft of bill that seeks to control the sale and consumption of sachet waragi.
The objective of the bill once it passed into an ordinance is to regulate and control; illicit brewing of alcoholic drinks, mass distribution and sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets and irresponsible consumption of alcoholic drinks.
The bill seeks to punish anyone who is found selling, distributing or drinking between 12 pm and 5 pm. One can also face a fine of two currency point (UGX 40,000) or will liable to serve a six month prisons sentence or both for contravening the provisions in the ordinance on default of the ordinance once it becomes operational.
The bill followed a petition signed by over 10,000 residents of Gulu demanding that the district council should formulate an ordinance that make it illegal to sell and consume waragi packed in sachets.
The major intention is to improve productivity in communities now settling in their villages after the end of war in northern Uganda.
