Govt bans morning drinking, sets 3pm for bars, orders councils to open sittings to press.
By Okidi Patrick Ocamoyitdyel
KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Ministry of Local Government has issued sweeping new directives to all LC5 Chairpersons, City Mayors, Division Mayors and Council Speakers aimed at promoting transparency, protecting children and restoring productivity in communities.
In a circular dated 10th August, 2026, signed by Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, local governments were ordered to implement 7 measures with immediate effect.
Key directives
- OPEN COUNCIL SITTINGS TO THE PRESS
All councils have been directed to allow members of the press to attend council sittings, similar to Parliament. The Ministry says this will promote transparency, accountability and public awareness. - DISPLAY APPROVED BUDGETS ON NOTICE BOARDS
Local governments must display their approved budgets on the main council notice board and other accessible public notice boards. This will enable the public to know what has been budgeted for their areas and to follow up on implementation of projects and services. - PROTECT PERSONS UNDER 18 FROM ALCOHOL
Bar owners, shop owners and operators of malwa joints or other alcohol-selling establishments who sell or supply alcohol to persons under 18 years should be arrested and prosecuted. Establishments found repeatedly violating the law will face appropriate sanctions. - STOP EARLY-MORNING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
Local leaders, working with security agencies, should discourage early-morning drinking and ensure bars do not operate in a manner that encourages people to spend mornings drinking instead of working. The move targets idleness, family problems and rising crime linked to excessive alcohol consumption. - BARS AND MALWA JOINTS TO OPEN AFTER 3:00 P.M ON WORKING DAYS
Bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 p.m on working days, subject to national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations. - ENFORCE LAWFUL OPERATING HOURS
Bars and alcohol outlets that repeatedly defy lawful operating-hour directives should be closed and appropriate enforcement action taken against persistent offenders. - REGULATE BETTING OPERATING HOURS
Local governments should regulate the operating hours of betting companies within their jurisdictions to protect communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting.
Implementation:
The Minister directed that joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities shall support local governments in implementation and enforcement.
“All responsible local government leaders are expected to take personal leadership in ensuring compliance and reporting challenges in implementation through the appropriate channels,” the circular reads.
“Let us put the interests of our people first, promote transparency and accountability in local government, protect our children, encourage productivity and restore discipline in our communities,” Minister Barugahara stated.
The circular was copied to the Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker, NRM Secretary General, all Cabinet Ministers and all Members of Parliament.
The measures take immediate effect.
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