Nile Breweries has launched the annual SMART drinking campaign, Drink Easy Easy N’enya Lunaku, with a call to focus on illicit alcohol consumption. This is because illicit consumption of alcohol constitutes 65% of all alcohol drinking in Uganda, according to the NBL Managing Director Adu Rando.
The Euro-monitor Illicit Alcohol Trade Report 2021 revealed that regulated alcohol trade accounts for 35% of all alcohol consumed in Uganda, while illicit alcohol accounts for 65%. Illicit alcohol is brewed outside the regulatory framework as approved by various regulatory authorities within and outside of the country.
This, Rando affirms is the crux of the alcohol abuse scourge and unless it is checked at all levels, meaningful positive results will not be realized despite the numerous efforts by all sector players.
“All efforts by all stakeholders towards SMART drinking are very much appreciated. But crucially they should be focused on the problem of illicit alcohol consumption if we are to realize a significant shift of the needle in the right direction. For example, the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023 is right in its assessment of the alcohol consumption problem in the country but falls short in addressing the issue at hand. It is a case of a right diagnosis but wrong treatment,” said the NBL MD.
He added that; “But this message is to everyone including the 35% who take the regulated alcohol. We should all advocate for good drinking habits and practices such as pacing yourself while you enjoy, eating something before you start drinking, drinking plenty of water in between rounds, calling a cab/taxi to take you home (Don’t drink and drive) and to the expecting mums don’t drink at all.”
Emmanuel Njuki Head of Legal & Corporate Affairs NBL, warns that though the effects of irresponsible drinking are well documented, there’s a need to remain vigilant.
“We cannot normalize the gloomy statistics regarding alcohol consumption in the country. This calls for consistent efforts, by all of us stakeholders.
This explains why we annually invest in the SMART drinking sensitization campaign like we are launching here today,” he said, also acknowledging the role played by other players including the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association and the parliament of Uganda that continues to deliberate various bills and laws to promote SMART consumption of alcohol in the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Statistics 2023 Report ranks Uganda among the leading alcohol consumers. Ugandans consume 12.2 litres of alcohol per person annually, which is double the African region average of 6.3 litres and the global average of 6.18 litres per person per year.
In East Africa Uganda is the largest alcohol consumer with an alcohol per capita consumption of 9.5 litres of alcohol per year, compared to Kenya-3.4 litres, Tanzania-9.4 litres, Rwanda- 9 litres, and Burundi- 7.5 litres, according to the WHO report.
It is on the back of these gloomy statistics that NBL continues to invest in annual SMART drinking campaigns to remind consumers of the need to regulate their consumption and guard against the dangers associated with alcohol abuse.
SMART Drinking is a call to responsible consumption of alcohol; knowing when to drink, what to drink, how to drink, and when to stop drinking. It’s all about being 100% in control.
As a way of engaging the entire community of Uganda, NBL partnered with singer Apass who came up with the song ‘Nenkya Lunaku’ whose message entirely focuses on smart drinking or drinking with a plan
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
