KAMPALA — Minister in Charge of Local Government Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has directed local government leaders to tighten regulation of bars and alcohol-selling establishments, including restricting their opening hours and preventing the sale of alcohol to people under 18.
In a directive dated August 11, 2026, Balaam instructed LC5 chairpersons, city mayors, division mayors and council speakers to implement measures aimed at promoting community productivity, accountability and stricter regulation of alcohol and betting operations.
Under the directive, bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 pm on working days, subject to national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations.
Balaam also directed local leaders to work with security agencies and enforcement teams to discourage early-morning alcohol consumption, saying excessive drinking contributes to idleness, family problems and crime in communities.
“Local leaders should take the lead in discouraging early-morning alcohol consumption and work with security agencies and enforcement teams to ensure that bars and alcohol outlets do not operate in a manner that encourages people to spend their mornings drinking instead of working,” Balam said.
He further directed authorities to arrest and prosecute bar owners, shopkeepers, Malwa joint operators and other alcohol sellers who supply alcohol to people below the age of 18.
Establishments that repeatedly violate the law should face appropriate sanctions, according to the directive.
Balaam also ordered local governments to enforce lawful operating-hour restrictions, warning that bars and alcohol outlets that repeatedly defy such directives should be closed and their operators subjected to appropriate enforcement action.
Betting Hours Also Targeted
The minister extended the proposed crackdown to betting establishments, directing local governments to regulate their operating hours in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
He said the measure is intended to protect communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting.
The directives are to be enforced through joint efforts involving local governments, security agencies, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities.
Balaam directed local government leaders to personally take charge of implementation and report challenges through the appropriate channels.
Push for Greater Local Government Accountability
Beyond alcohol and betting, the minister directed local governments to open council proceedings to the media.
He said all councils should allow journalists access to council sittings, similar to Parliament’s media access arrangements, to enable citizens to follow debates, decisions and the conduct of public business.
Local governments have also been ordered to display their approved budgets on main council notice boards and other accessible public notice boards.
According to Balaam, making budgets publicly available will enable residents to monitor planned projects and services and conduct what he described as “people-led audits” of local government spending.
“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,” Balaam said.
The directive was copied to the Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament.