Newly appointed Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Crispus Walter Kiyonga, has identified rising alcohol consumption among young people as a major national concern, calling for urgent policy and legal reforms to address what he described as a growing social crisis.
Dr Kiyonga, who replaced veteran politician Moses Ali as Second Deputy Prime Minister, said government must urgently intervene to curb alcohol abuse, which he said is increasingly affecting Uganda’s youth.
Speaking after his return to Cabinet following a decade out of government, Kiyonga said his observations from society had reinforced the need for stronger state action on social challenges.
“One of those issues is alcohol. Young people have taken to excessive consumption,” he said.
He argued that Uganda is now facing serious consequences linked to alcohol abuse, particularly among the youth, warning that the trend is undermining the country’s social and economic potential.
“They have now made us number one in Africa in alcohol consumption, but alcohol is destroying our young people, destroying our country,” he said.
Kiyonga called for a coordinated government response, including a review of existing laws regulating alcohol production, distribution and consumption.
“One of the things I want to drive is collaboration within Cabinet to review the laws relating to alcohol consumption, and where we find gaps, we close them,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for broader social balance between young and older populations, saying policy must take into account the strengths of different age groups.
Kiyonga said he would work with Cabinet under the direction of the President to ensure priority issues are addressed, including alcohol abuse and corruption.
His remarks come as he assumes office with an additional mandate to help address persistent quorum shortages in Parliament by mobilising Cabinet ministers and ruling National Resistance Movement lawmakers to consistently attend plenary sittings.
The coordination role is aimed at ensuring Parliament maintains the required numbers to transact government business and pass key legislation, a challenge that has repeatedly disrupted parliamentary proceedings.
