Leaders in Nakapiripirit District have proposed new district by-laws and ordinances to regulate excessive alcohol consumption, particularly the abuse of illicit local waragi, which they say is undermining development and livelihoods in the Karamoja sub-region.
The proposal emerged during a multi-stakeholder meeting organised by ActionAid Uganda with support from the European Union under the theme of ending harmful practices and enhancing socio-economic opportunities for young people.
The meeting brought together local leaders, religious leaders, security officials and development partners to discuss social challenges affecting communities in the district.
Speaking at the meeting, Nakapiripirit District Vice Chairperson David Loitakori Pedo expressed concern over increasing alcohol consumption among men and youth, saying many spend their time drinking instead of engaging in productive activities such as agriculture.
He said excessive alcohol use has fuelled poverty, family neglect and alcohol-related illnesses.
“We need strong district by-laws with clear penalties to regulate the sale and consumption of illicit alcohol. We can also consider measures such as increasing taxes on local waragi or banning it altogether,” Mr Loitakori said.
He added that many parents spend money on alcohol instead of paying school fees, contributing to school dropout rates and worsening poverty.
Mr Loitakori also criticised the practice of settling cases of defilement and child marriage through informal negotiations rather than allowing the law to take its course.
The Archdeacon of Nakapiripirit Archdeaconry in the Karamoja Diocese, Rev. Felix Iluka Jim, said alcoholism remains one of the leading causes of poverty in the region.
He noted that some residents cut down trees for charcoal production and use the proceeds to purchase alcohol, worsening environmental degradation.
“If other districts have managed to control alcohol abuse, Nakapiripirit can also take decisive action to restore sanity and encourage people to engage in productive work,” he said.
District Community Development Officer Denis Atheyo linked excessive alcohol consumption to rising cases of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, domestic violence, child neglect, early marriages and school dropouts.
“We already have checkpoints, but the question remains how this illegal alcohol continues to enter the district. We need stronger enforcement and community cooperation to stop the illegal trade,” Mr Atheyo said.
He called on security agencies and the Office of the Resident District Commissioner to strengthen surveillance along routes used by alcohol smugglers.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner Luke Lobunei said the District Security Committee had already declared the entry and consumption of illicit waragi illegal and intensified enforcement operations.
According to Mr Lobunei, security agencies have confiscated and destroyed about 40,000 litres of illicit alcohol intercepted at checkpoints.
“Not all alcohol is illegal. We are targeting illicit waragi because it is harmful to people’s health, reduces productivity, causes infertility and destroys families,” he said.
He added that district by-laws would complement existing enforcement efforts by introducing penalties for those involved in the sale, transportation and distribution of illicit alcohol.
ActionAid Project Officer Emmanuel Koriang said the meeting sought to identify practical solutions for addressing harmful practices affecting young people.
He said stakeholders agreed to strengthen protection for girls, improve case management systems for gender-based violence and expand access to skills development opportunities.
“When communities lose trust in the justice system because cases are negotiated, it undermines efforts to protect children. We want to see perpetrators prosecuted and justice delivered,” Mr Koriang said.
Alcohol abuse remains one of the most significant social and economic challenges facing Karamoja, with illicit waragi widely blamed for poor health outcomes, low productivity, domestic violence and persistent poverty.
Recent data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicates that alcohol consumption in Karamoja remains significantly higher than the national average. Survey findings show that 47.8 percent of adults in the region consume alcohol, while a 2025 contextual analysis found that 71.7 percent of men and 62.4 percent of women had consumed alcohol within the month preceding the survey.
Leaders say stronger enforcement, community awareness and locally enacted by-laws could play a key role in reducing harmful alcohol consumption and improving livelihoods across the region.