Rukungiri, Uganda: Jim Muhwezi, the Minister of Security, has called on local leaders in Rukungiri District to urgently enact bylaws banning daytime alcohol consumption, warning that uncontrolled drinking undermines the success of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Muhwezi made the call on Christmas Day while addressing worshippers during prayers at Kasoroza Church of Uganda in Nyakagyeme Sub-county, where he attended service with his wife, Susan Muhwezi and family members.
The minister said rampant alcohol consumption during working hours has emerged as a major barrier to poverty-eradication programmes, particularly PDM, which is designed to lift households out of subsistence livelihoods.
“People are over-drinking during working hours. To my surprise, I also saw women busy drinking. This increasing consumption of alcohol by men, women, youth and the elderly needs to be regulated through bylaws and strong fines for anyone caught drinking during working hours,” Muhwezi said.
He expressed concern that while government officials and religious leaders continue to sensitise communities about PDM, alcohol abuse remains largely unaddressed, weakening household productivity and discipline.
“This problem needs urgent attention from every stakeholder because it is making the implementation of government programmes aimed at eradicating poverty at the household level very difficult,” he said.
Muhwezi urged district leaders to fast-track the passage of alcohol control bylaws, saying they would free up time for productive work and reduce daytime idleness that fuels poverty.
“We want the bylaw to be passed quickly in our district, and we shall push it to all local governments across the country,” he added.
He also called on residents to fully embrace government wealth-creation initiatives, noting that success depends not only on funding but also on discipline and mindset change at community level.
Church Leaders Echo Moral Call
During the same service, Ronald Natuhwera, the Archdeacon of Nyakagyeme Archdeaconry in North Kigezi Diocese, urged Christians to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and abandon immoral behaviour.
“Many people, instead of reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ and kneeling before their Saviour, have engaged in abhorrent acts such as murder, prostitution, adultery and abuse of alcohol, all of which contradict the teachings of Jesus,” Ven. Natuhwera said.
He also challenged parents to prioritise education, describing it as a key driver of transformation in the community.
“I have seen many children graduating from institutions outside our archdeaconry, yet none are from here. We need to ask ourselves what went wrong. Let us educate our children because education is the key to unlocking the world’s problems,” he said.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
