Acholi leaders blame low productivity on alcohol abuse by men

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Local government leaders in the Acholi Sub-region have been put under the spotlight for the low productivity among young and adult men, blamed on excessive consumption of potent alcohol.

A leaders meeting has observed that alcoholism among men in the sub-region is rising at an alarming rate, and poses a danger to health and socio-economic development, which needs urgent redress.

The matter came to light on Tuesday during the Doro Paco Initiative Meeting convened by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo and Former Uganda People’s Congress Party President Olara Otunu in Gulu City. The meeting was attended by local government and youth leaders from across the Acholi sub-region to dialogue on solutions to matters affecting the sub-region.

Emmanuel Orach, the Nwoya District Chairperson says most men both young and old in the sub-region have resorted to spending their most valuable time in bars drinking alcohol while abandoning parental duties to women. He says the trend is not only detrimental to the health of those abusing alcohol but also to the development of the sub-region since they aren’t productive.

Agago Resident District Commissioner Nabinson Kidega Nok alleges that the sale of potent alcohol in the sub-region is deliberate to curtail the productivity of hard-working men.  He notes that a number of men have currently developed health complications including gaining abnormal body weight, and swollen cheeks resulting from excessive drinking of illicit potent alcohol.

Justice Owiny-Dollo in his remarks says it’s high time for the leaders in the Acholi Sub-region to think outside the box for solutions affecting the region and come up with comprehensive solutions to address them. He also notes that in the past it was unusual to witness a woman drinking openly and youth engaging in gambling during the rainy season meant for farming.

Dr. Olara Otunnu says the good image and integrity of the Acholi people will be wiped off if the current dilemmas are not resolved fully.

Gulu City Council Deputy Mayor Christine Olok however advocated for the passing of a bylaw to regulate early morning drinking and sales of alcohol to men as a way of curbing alcoholism. During the same meeting, the leaders also highlighted a number of challenges the sub-region has continued to face ranging from the high poverty rate, the rampant sale of land, the high rate of teenage pregnancy, poor academic performance, and high bride prices that have discouraged many men from marrying.

In November 2016, Gulu District Council passed the Alcohol Drinks Ordinance, which aimed at regulating the drinking hours, and consumption of alcohol, and subsequently banned the sales of potent gin in plastic bottles below 250 ml.

****

URN