UAPA Joins Fight Against Alcohol, Substance Abuse in Busoga
By Spurb Ernest
Officials from the Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance-UAPA have embarked on a drive to sensitize young people against excessive consumption of alcohol and other forms of substance abuse.
According to the police’s annual crime report of 2022, all 26,124 cases of common assault reported at the different police stations across the country were associated with alcoholism and drug abuse. Furthermore, all the 17,698 cases of domestic violence recorded in the same year were associated with either alcoholism or substance abuse.
The alliance, which is a consortium of different civil society organizations advocating for the lowering of substance uptake among young people is of the view that reduction in alcohol consumption will restore sanity within communities.
UAPA’s Jackson Isabirye from UAPA says that the elimination of crime resulting from alcohol abuse can only be eliminated through community sensitization drives.
Isabirye says that they have reached out to different secondary schools across the country, rallying students to desist from alcohol abuse.
Isabirye further says that they have reached out to risky groups within the transport sector, sexual workers, and boda boda riders, among others, sharing insights on devising measures for reducing alcohol consumption.
Isabirye says that they have since taken their campaign to Busoga kingdom, rallying the cultural institution to spearhead campaigns geared towards reducing alcohol consumption among young people.
David Kalema, a researcher with UAPA says that excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading drivers of domestic violence, among others. Kalema also says that 8% of the deaths are attributed to alcohol and drug abuse, which translates into 17,000 deaths annually.
Kalema notes that Uganda is the leading alcohol-consuming country in Africa, which has largely derailed the productivity rates of young people, who normally report hangovers for work.
Kalema notes that all the negative effects of alcohol have endlessly contributed to family breakdowns, which has resulted in an increasing number of street children.
Kalema says that cultural leaders have trust in their subjects who take their words for gospel truth and it is imperative for them to liaise with cultural institutions in the bid to minimize alcohol consumption.
Kalema also appreciates the fact that, much as some cultural ceremonies involve the use of alcohol, leaders from different kingdoms ought to equally understand the negative effects of excessive consumption and overly administer the same sparingly.
Meanwhile, Busoga kingdom’s minister for general duties, Edward Munaaba says that Kyabazinga is spearheading several initiatives geared towards steering Busoga to her former glory through materializing on direct partnerships with grassroots communities and alcohol reduction fits in well with his efforts.
Munaaba says that, much as alcohol is a key driver in economic growth, however, the negative effects of the same should not be underscored for the safety and wellbeing of the community.
