An emergency council meeting sponsored by the ministry of trade, industry and cooperatives was held in Gulu recently.

The purpose of the meeting was to persuade the Gulu council to rescind and delay the implementation of the ordinance that effectively banned alcohol sale in sachets in Gulu and probably in the entire Acholi sub- region for another nine months.

This ordinance is very popular among the population, most especially women and children. Thankfully, the Gulu council agreed with the people that the ban could not wait, for it is long overdue!

From a purely moral perspective as a framework of decision-making, the ordinance is one of the most timely and best interventions that the Gulu council has brought.

The government should embrace this ordinance and take up even a more bold nationwide response to this national crisis of alcoholism. Alcohol is an addictive substance that has devastated the productive force of the post-conflict northern Ugandan population.

Sachet alcohol is convenient, cheap (small monies that should be used to supplement for basic household requirements such as salt, sugar, paraffin, and spices are easily diverted to purchase it), and can easily be concealed by students and office workers. Research shows that Ugandans no longer drink alcohol socially.

They drink it as an intoxicant that destroys the liver and, in the end, leads to high instances of hepatitis, chronic diseases, and mental illness. The alcoholism problem is a national priority. The ordinance is thus far the most shrewd and pragmatic intervention. Women like it because only the ordinance, not the police or government, will protect them from domestic violence and vegetated state of husbands.

The government needs the ordinance because it will cut the cost of treating chronic diseases, hepatitis, diabetes and injuries, and avert early and sudden deaths, etc.

Moreover, economic production, the purpose for which our economy is liberalizing, is to unleash human potential for productivity. Sachet alcohol subverts this noble objective and debilitates its consumers, hooks them up and renders them a burden to society.

There are many forms of regulations, some may include imposing high taxation, regulating hours of sales, strict licensing, and regulating alcohol packaging, concentration, and distribution. However, alcohol ban on its own is a Band-Aid.

There is need to accelerate the integration of northern Uganda into the mainstream economy as a matter of social justice and equity to address the underlying causes of alienation that elicits destructive coping mechanisms.

Morris DC Komakech,
Canada

Museveni and army are inseparable

Recently, Observer columnist Moses Khisa wrote a piece titled: ‘Saluting the UPDF’. In this article, Khisa expressed his views, most of which I agree with.

However, I disagree with Khisa when he appeared to be appealing to the new Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) leadership to be independent of the president.

I think the challenge lies in the Constitution whose framers literally gave everything to the office of the president. For instance, the Constitution empowers the president to, among others, be the commander in chief and the fountain of honor. With such powers, the president can appoint people only loyal to him, which is understandable.

Lastly, history shows that the army has played a pivotal role in Ugandan politics. Therefore, President Museveni knows very well that the day he will fail to control the army is the day he will lose his seat.

Therefore, there is no way we can separate the commander in chief of UPDF from the president yet the supreme law of the land intertwines them.

Musekura Kenedy,
Kampala.

Switch back analogue TV

Sometime last year, the analogue television signal was switched off in Mbale district as part of the digital migration process.

There was a mad dash among television viewers to buy free-to-air (FTA) set-top boxes to come to terms with the development. The company responsible for this migration, Signet, ran digital TV broadcast trials for close to two months before the signal disappeared.

Since then, the set-top boxes have become redundant. Only those with the pay TV decoders are able to watch television.

There has been no official communication from the signal carrier or any other relevant body to explain what is going on. It is on this note that I seek an explanation from the relevant authorities on what isn’t happening.

It is unfair to compel people to subscribe to pay TV and watch FTA television. I would suggest that the analogue signal is switched back on until Signet is ready to play its part.

Ahmed Wetaka
awetaka@yahoo.com

Ugandans are indeed naïve

I was shocked when many Ugandans were surprised about President Museveni’s revelation during the NRM day celebrations that he is not a servant of Ugandans, but his aim is to work for himself.

I actually don’t know how long certain Ugandans take to learn some people.

I can excuse the young ones who have seen little about Museveni, but this man has been playing games since the 1970s. Hence, many of his lies and hypocrisy are known to us.

For some people to pretend or actually get surprised after his recent unfortunate utterances shows that many Ugandans are either gullible or naïve.

Kennedy Kabonge,
kabongek@yahoo.co.uk

letters@observer.ug