Parliament has been shaken by fresh revelations about the widespread sale of illicit alcohol disguised as energy drinks and sexual performance boosters. Rising on a matter of national importance, the Kazo County MP Dan Kimosho warned that dangerous alcoholic products are increasingly circulating on the Ugandan market, particularly targeting rural communities. Kimosho displayed several samples […]
Parliament has been shaken by fresh revelations about the widespread sale of illicit alcohol disguised as energy drinks and sexual performance boosters.
Rising on a matter of national importance, the Kazo County MP Dan Kimosho warned that dangerous alcoholic products are increasingly circulating on the Ugandan market, particularly targeting rural communities.
Kimosho displayed several samples of the drinks in the House and said they are marketed with misleading claims that they boost sexual pleasure, increase libido, give men morale and make users feel powerful.
According to him, many unsuspecting consumers believe the drinks improve their health.
“Some locals are consuming these drinks believing they make them strong and healthy. Yet some of them are developing unhealthy fat cheeks thinking they are improving,” Kimosho told Parliament.
He urged the Ministry of Trade to urgently publish a list of products certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and clearly show the ingredients used in alcoholic drinks on the market.
Kimosho further called for all suspicious products to be submitted to the government analytical laboratory for testing and asked the Uganda Communications Commission to regulate advertisements promoting the drinks.
“Some of these adverts are misleading the public and encouraging the consumption of harmful products,” he said.
During the debate, Dicksons Kateshumbwa cited a recent report by the Uganda Alcohol Association which shows that illicit alcohol now accounts for about 40 percent of the market, causing government revenue losses estimated at UGX 6 trillion.
Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi reminded the House that investigations by the Committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises in 2023 uncovered corruption at the standards body.
“When I was chairperson of COSASE , we discovered serious corruption within UNBS which even led to the sacking of the executive director. Some products may be certified but still fail to meet the required standards, because of corruption” Ssenyonyi said.
Lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Health to intervene, warning that the health consequences of unregulated alcohol could result in heavy costs for the country.
Erute South County MP Jonathan Odur said the problem extends beyond alcohol.
“It is not just alcohol. Almost everything seems fake nowadays, from imported tyres to fuel, medicines and even bottled water. These are issues that should be addressed under the Consumer Protection Bill,” Odur said.
MPs also warned that some of the small bottles sold on the market contain dangerously high alcohol levels.
“You may find a 5ml bottle containing up to 50 percent alcohol content. That is extremely dangerous,” one of the legislators added.
Responding to the concerns, David Bahati, the State Minister for Trade said the government has stepped up the fight against counterfeit goods.
“We are addressing the challenge of counterfeit and fake products on the market and the Consumer Protection Bill is key in solving this. Most products with UNBS certification are genuine but some producers abuse the system,” Bahati said.
He explained that some manufacturers approach the UNBS with one product that is certified but stealthily produce illegal products with the legitmate QR code.
He added that government has formed district-level committees to identify counterfeit products and will collect samples for testing.
“We shall take these samples and test them to determine which ones are genuine and enforce action against manufacturers who present one product for certification but sell others on the market,” he said.
The Speaker directed the Ministry of Trade to present a comprehensive statement to Parliament on the growing problem of illicit alcohol and counterfeit goods.
