By Kabuye Ronald
The government has come under intense scrutiny following a proposal by State Minister for Finance, Hon. Henry Musasizi, to reduce taxes on alcohol content spirits. The minister, who presented the proposal in Parliament, justified the move as a strategy to protect domestic alcohol manufacturers and ensure fair competition in the industry. He further argued that the reduction would help mitigate revenue loss from untaxed imported spirits.
However, this proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA), a coalition of public health advocates. In a press conference held on Thursday in Kampala, UAPA leaders strongly condemned the government’s stance, accusing it of prioritizing profits over the health and well-being of Ugandans.
Dr. David Kalema, Executive Director of Hope and Beyond, expressed his outrage, calling the move “irresponsible” and dangerous for the health of the population. “We are more concerned about people’s lives and well-being than about money. We do not want a wealthy economy with sick people,” Kalema stated. He pointed out the devastating effects alcohol has on Ugandan society, including contributing to domestic violence, poverty, and road accidents. He further criticized Minister Musasizi’s proposal, questioning the government’s priorities in light of Uganda’s already alarming rates of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.
Dr. Kalema passionately challenged the minister, saying, “Are you proud that 17,000 Ugandans are going to die this year because of your comments? You want to protect the local industry? How much does a human life cost?” He urged the government to recognize the severe social and economic consequences of alcohol and to consider the impact on those who have suffered due to alcohol abuse.
Dr. Kalema also invited the minister to visit rehabilitation centers, such as Butabika, where many people seeking help for alcohol and drug abuse are turned away due to overcrowding. UAPA members expressed their frustration at what they see as a disregard for public health and urged legislators to raise alcohol taxes, rather than reduce them.
Adding to the criticism, Dr. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, a professor at the Makerere School of Public Health, demanded that the finance ministry provide evidence supporting their decision to reduce alcohol taxes. “We have shared evidence repeatedly showing that raising taxes on alcohol leads to reduced consumption, fewer mental health issues, and fewer alcohol-related deaths and accidents,” Dr. Tumwesigye stated. He emphasized the global consensus that increasing taxes on harmful substances like alcohol is an effective public health strategy.
Dr. Kwizera Christopher, Executive Director of the Uganda Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, also opposed the tax reduction, highlighting the harm alcohol inflicts on public health. He advised Minister Musasizi to focus on improving enforcement measures at customs to curb the smuggling of untaxed imported spirits, rather than reducing taxes on domestically produced alcohol.
Under the proposal, alcohol taxes would be reduced from 60% (UGX 25,000 per liter) to 51% (UGX 17,000 per liter), a move that critics argue would exacerbate the negative consequences of alcohol use across Uganda. As the debate continues, health advocates are urging the government to reconsider its approach and prioritize the well-being of its citizens over economic interests tied to the alcohol industry.
