KAMPALA — Lawmakers in Parliament have raised concern over the proliferation of unregulated alcoholic products on the Ugandan market, warning of serious public health risks linked to counterfeit and improperly labelled drinks.
During Thursday’s plenary sitting, Dan Kimosho presented several suspected alcohol products on the floor of Parliament, including brands such as Sabura, Cavity Tea, Kumbucha, and Sanyuka, urging government to take urgent regulatory action.
Kimosho called on the Ministry of Trade to publish a verified list of alcohol products certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), together with full disclosure of ingredients and laboratory test results.
“There is a lot of illicit alcohol on the Ugandan market which is advertised as energy drinks,” he said, warning that many consumers may be unknowingly exposed to harmful substances.
The presentation sparked immediate reaction from Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who described the products as a threat to public safety.
“These alcohol products are a danger to human life; let’s stop protecting them, even if they have been verified,” she said while presiding over the session.
State Minister for Trade David Bahati also weighed in, pledging government action to verify the products and establish their safety.
Parliamentarians noted that Uganda continues to face a widespread illicit alcohol challenge, with some estimates suggesting that between 65 and 70 percent of alcohol on the market is unregulated, contributing to significant revenue losses and public health concerns.
Lawmakers further warned of health risks including poisoning, organ damage, and long-term complications associated with consumption of unverified alcoholic beverages.
Previous checks by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards have reportedly flagged concerns over certain kombucha and similar beverage products, adding to calls for stricter enforcement and clearer labelling requirements.
The Ministry of Trade is expected to respond with updated verification measures as pressure mounts on regulators to clamp down on unsafe alcohol products circulating in the market.
