Bar owners, shop operators and proprietors of Malwa joints who sell alcohol to persons below the age of 18 will face arrest and prosecution. Establishments found repeatedly violating the law risk further sanctions.
The Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has issued a sweeping set of directives aimed at improving transparency, strengthening public accountability, promoting community productivity, and regulating alcohol and betting operations across Uganda.
In a directive dated August 11, 2026, and addressed to all LC5 chairpersons, city mayors, division mayors and council speakers, the minister instructed local government leaders to immediately implement seven measures designed to enhance governance and social discipline.
Among the key directives is a requirement for all local government councils to allow members of the press unrestricted access to council sittings, mirroring the practice in Parliament. The minister said the move is intended to improve transparency and accountability by enabling citizens to follow council debates, decisions and the conduct of public business.
Local governments have also been directed to publicly display their approved budgets on their main notice boards and other accessible public notice boards. According to the directive, this will allow residents to know how public funds have been allocated and monitor the implementation of government projects and services, promoting what the minister described as people-led audits.
The ministry also announced stricter measures to curb alcohol abuse, particularly among young people. Bar owners, shop operators and proprietors of Malwa joints who sell alcohol to persons below the age of 18 will face arrest and prosecution. Establishments found repeatedly violating the law risk further sanctions.
In addition, local leaders have been instructed to discourage early-morning alcohol consumption and work closely with security agencies to prevent bars and other alcohol outlets from operating in ways that encourage people to spend working hours drinking instead of engaging in productive activities.
As part of the new measures, bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 p.m. on working days, subject to existing national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations. The minister further directed that bars and alcohol outlets that repeatedly defy lawful operating-hour directives should be closed, with enforcement action taken against persistent offenders.
The directive also calls on local governments to regulate the operating hours of betting companies within their jurisdictions in accordance with existing laws. The ministry said the measure is intended to protect communities, especially young people, from the harmful effects associated with excessive betting.
To ensure compliance, the minister directed joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities to support local governments in implementing and enforcing the new measures.
Barugahara urged all responsible local government leaders to personally oversee implementation and report any challenges through the appropriate channels, saying the directives are intended to put the interests of citizens first by promoting transparency, accountability, child protection, productivity and discipline within communities.
Spire Ssentongo Thanks Supporters After Shs30 Million Court Fine Is Raised in 24 Hours