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Health Ministry Engages Cultural Leaders on Harmful Alcohol Use

10 July, 2025
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The Ministry of Health has urged cultural leaders to join the fight against harmful alcohol use.


The call was made at a Cultural leaders meeting on community-led initiatives aimed at preventing the harm posed by alcohol use. The meeting held at Wash and Wills Hotel on Wednesday in Mbale City was organized by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA).

According to the 2021 Uganda National Household Survey, Karamoja and West Nile regions stood out with the highest percentage of alcohol consumption at 48% and 16% respectively, Teso, 14%, Elgon, 13.8%, Acholi, 12%, Lango, 12%, Bukedi, 6.9% and Ankole with 8.1%.

Dr. Hafsa Lukwata, the Assistant Commissioner, Mental Health and Control of Substance Use at the Ministry of Health says that alcohol is the leading cause of preventable death and causes many non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancers which calls for urgent action.

Juliet Namukasa the Chairperson, Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA) says that they decided to engage the cultural leaders who will in turn reach out to the community about the need to control the harmful use of alcohol. According to Namukasa, cultural leaders have proven to be highly respected, a reason they want to use them to mobilize communities in the fight against harmful alcohol use.

Joseph Weyusa an official with the Bamasaba Cultural Institution said that with the political season underway, many politicians usually intoxicate their supporters with alcohol which leads to violence. Weyusa says that politicians who intoxicate supporters should be stopped from engaging in campaigns.

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