Banned waragi still selling in Kitgum

Seven months after government banned sachet waragi due to its health risks and environmental concerns, there is massive production of the same in Kitgum District.

In March, government banned the production of alcohol in sachets in all factories in the country.

Manufacturers and traders were advised to pack the liquor in at least plastic bottles of 200mls.
Some concerned residents have now petitioned the district security committee, to arrest defiant sachet waragi manufacturers.

The Resident District Commissioner, Mr William Komakech, warned that those who have disregarded the ban shall face the wrath of the law.

“... Any vehicles seen transporting it (alcohol in sachets) shall be impounded before the driver is arrested and alcohol destroyed,” Mr Komakech said.

“The reason as to why we have opted to punish the transporters and sellers is because sometimes it is difficult to apprehend the consumers since most of them buy and consume them from hideouts,” he said.
The most affected sub-counties are Lagoro, Namokora, Omiya-anyima and Mucwini.

The most consumed waragi sachets include Challenger Vodka, Barma Waragi, X5 Gin, Cranes Vodka, Champion Gin, El Salvador Vodka, Obama Vodka, Coffee spirits, Lion Gin and Rock Gin.

Mr Joel Otuken, a consumer, told Daily Monitor in an interview that they are still consuming old stock.
“What we have in stock are the old supplies that we were not able to sell before May 31. We should be given sometime to dispose of whatever we have,” he said.

One of the whistle-blowers on the sale of the banned waragi in Kitgum, Mr Aloysius Obuku, said they could not watch their children continue to get wasted yet they can venture into better business enterprises.

“We participated in seeing that the ban of the sachet waragi especially the ones packed in sachets are no more, we have to effect the implementation in the same spirit,” Mr Obuku said.

In 2017, the government through the cabinets took a decision to ban the production, packaging, sale and consumption of sachet waragi in Uganda, and the ban came into effect on May 31, almost two years after it was decided by the Cabinet.

Before the date line, Trade Minster Amelia Kyambadde told the manufacturers and traders with existing stockpiles of sachets waragi to utilise the final amnesty window to conclude trade in the products.

Ban

Initially...In 2017, the government through Cabinet took a decision to ban the production, packaging, sale and consumption of sachet waragi in Uganda, and the ban came into effect on May 31, almost two years after it was decided by Cabinet.
Before the date line, Trade Minster Amelia Kyambadde told the manufacturers and traders with stockpiles of sachets waragi to utilise the final amnesty window to conclude trade in the products.

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