By Nkwenkam Momekam Tite,
NATIONAL
Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) has urged the Ugandan National Bureau of Standards to step up in the fight against illegal brewery and consumption of local gin on the Ugandan market.
Sharon Arach Oyat, the spokesperson of the UPC says that illegal manufucturing and selling of non-certified alcohol is harmful to human consumption and makes government to lose revenue.
She was addressing journalists at UPC headquarters at Uganda House in Kampala on Wednesday.
Her remarks come in the wake of deaths that were registered as a result of the consumption of suspected poisonous gin of City 5 brand in areas of Arua and Madi Okollo. At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and scores hospitalised.
Police raided the manufacturing premises and put the manufacturer in custody to help in investigations.
Recalling the colonial days where individuals found locally distilling illicit alcohol would be arrested and their alcohol confiscated by the colonial police, the UPC mouthpiece has called for harmonization of local gin production and suggested for more regulations to the practice.
“UPC urges the UNBS to do due diligence and ensure that only certified brands of alcohol and energy drinks allowed in the market for public consumption as well as launching a nation wide campaign to wipe out all illegal brewers.” Arach said
Early this year, the parliamentary committee on trade, industry and tourism headed by the Mbarara city south legislator, Hon. Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama reported to parliament that some of the illegal non alcoholic energy drinks contain alcohol, caffeine and erectile chemicals yet they are not declared on the respective brand marks something that is dangerous to consumers.
The committee directed that UNBS to withdraw their distinctive marks on all energy drinks which have violated consumable standards however, nothing has been done to fight toxic alcohol and other substandard products on market.
