Police to ban smoking shisha in public places
A woman puffs away shisha in Kampala recently. A senior police chief has vowed to ensure the practice is kept away from social places in the country. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
Drug abuse. Mr Andrew Felix Kawesi says consumption of drugs has led to increase in crime.
KAMPALA.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Mr Andrew Felix Kawesi, has said he is going to lead a countrywide campaign to ban shisha from all social centres, starting with his area of operation.
He said shisha is one of the drugs that have taken the country by storm and needs to be controlled immediately.
“Shisha is an issue of concern. I have learnt from this seminar that there is actually no license to importation of shisha in the country but still I will confirm with UNBS. Once this is done, I am going to personally lead an operation on all the places that have it to ensure that it is banned completely. Young people are staying in these places all night which has contributed to increase in crime,” he said.
Mr Kawesi made these remarks yesterday afternoon at the ongoing alcohol and other drug abuse campaign at Uganda Christian University in Mukono.
He also blamed leaders for the continuity of crime in the country today. Mr. Kawesi said leaders disappoint them in protecting the criminals who are usually arrested for violating the law.
“The leaders are letting us down in crime prevention. They condone criminals in the excuse of underemployment and rights every time we make arrests of suspects,”Kawesi added.
Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi, the Principal Medical Officer from the Ministry of Health, who is also on the frontline of fighting alcohol and other drug abuses, said the weak laws in the country are playing a big role in the promotion of substances abuse where she called upon Parliament to pass the Anti Tobacco Bill immediately.
“The laws are very weak. Take the example of the Public Smoking Law. It is there but no enforcement. We propose that the laws be amended and also pass the Anti-Tobacco Bill that has taken over ten years in the house immediately,” she said.
