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In Summary
The study notes that the adverts portray alcohol consumption as fashionable, attracting teenagers
Kampala.
The media and personal interests of MPs are the main drivers of alcoholism and substance abuse in Uganda, a new study shows.
According to the study carried out by Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA) in Wakiso and Kampala districts in July, the press promotes alcoholism because alcohol manufacturers dupe media houses with advertising revenue to promote their brands in glamorous fashion.
The study notes that the adverts portray alcohol consumption as fashionable, attracting teenagers.
According to the report, out of the 804 respondents, 56 per cent aged between 15 and 19 years say their main source of information about alcohol is radio and television.
Releasing the report on Tuesday, Mr Rogers Kasirye, the president of UAPA, said alcohol brewers appoint their board members most of whom are known in government and can lobby against policies that might affect their trade.
Challenge
“We have tried to lobby MPs to table the Alcohol Policy Bill but none of them is interested in supporting us,” Mr Kasirye said.
However, when contacted, Mr Chris Baryomunsi, a member of the Health Committee of Parliament, said many MPs do not sit on boards of alcohol industries but blamed the Executive for the weak laws.
“We have the 1970 Enguli Act which has never been implemented... We do not have fresh legislation, so there is no way MPs can be blamed because it is the Executive to initiate proposals for new laws,” he said.
sotage@ug.nationmedia.com
