Alice
The Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa, has welcomed government efforts to regulate alcohol and betting operations, saying the measures could help address rising poverty and domestic violence in communities.
Bishop Muhiirwa, who is also the president of Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart Catholic movement that requires its members to completely abstain from alcohol, was speaking yesterday during the official launch of Wekomiire Denary in Kyegegwa District, where he supported the directive by the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, aimed at curbing alcohol abuse and irresponsible betting.
The directive
Minister Barugahara recently directed bar owners, shopkeepers, operators of Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments to stop selling or supplying alcohol to persons below 18 years of age, warning that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also directed local leaders to take the lead in discouraging early-morning alcohol consumption and work with security agencies and enforcement teams to ensure that bars and other alcohol outlets do not operate in ways that encourage people to spend their mornings drinking instead of working.
Alchol and poverty
Bishop Muhiirwa says excessive alcohol consumption, particularly during working hours, is worsening poverty as some people spend a large portion of their earnings on alcohol and betting instead of providing basic needs for their families.
He says the regulation of alcohol and betting operations will help protect families, promote responsible use of income and encourage people to engage in productive activities.
The Bishop has particularly urged young people to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and harmful betting, instead calling on them to focus on activities that can improve their livelihoods.
He says the fight against alcohol abuse and harmful betting requires concerted efforts from government, religious leaders, parents, security agencies and the wider community.