The Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA) has asked the government to reconsider the directive requiring bars, malwa joints and other alcohol selling establishments to open from 3pm on working days, arguing that the measure could hurt compliant businesses while leaving the illicit alcohol market largely untouched.
The association, which represents licensed and tax compliant alcohol producers, importers and distributors, said it supports the government’s objectives of protecting children, promoting productivity and strengthening discipline, but wants the implementation of the directive reviewed.
The call comes days after Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara directed bars, malwa joints and other alcohol outlets not to open before 3pm on working days, with repeated violations attracting closure and other enforcement action.
In a statement dated August 12, UAIA Chairperson Emmanuel Njuki said the industry fully supports the protection of people under 18 and stronger action against businesses that sell alcohol to minors.
However, the association questioned the blanket 3pm opening rule, noting that the minister himself had stated that the directive is subject to national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations.
“Any enforcement should therefore rest on a valid legal instrument,” the association said, arguing that a uniform restriction would primarily affect compliant businesses while leaving the wider informal alcohol market largely untouched. UAIA warned that restricting licensed outlets could shift daytime demand towards cheaper and unregulated alcohol, potentially worsening the very harms the government intends to address.
It also said such a shift could affect tax revenue, jobs, hospitality and tourism. Instead of the 3pm blanket opening rule, the association proposed that government concentrate enforcement on the illicit alcohol trade while working with the industry on traceability, age verification, responsible consumption programmes and alcohol awareness education.
The association said it wants to work with government towards a “productive, disciplined and protective” Uganda, but called for measures that are lawful, evidence based and genuinely effective.
The statement follows the minister’s August 10 directives, which also addressed the sale of alcohol to minors, betting hours, access for journalists to local council sittings and public display of approved local government budgets.
STATEMENT ON THE MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVES OF 10 AUGUST 2026 https://t.co/oR3WSKSPeo
— Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA) (@uaia_ug) August 14, 2026
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