Uganda: If people must drink, it must be safe beer – health ministry

Uganda’s health ministry has welcomed the Government decision to reduce taxes on beer produced, grown and malted in Uganda by 20% in the 2009/2010 budget, The New Vision reported on June, 25.

“There is a lot of dangerous but cheap alcohol on the market. If people must drink, it must be safe beer,” said Dr. Sheila Ndyanabangi, the in-charge of alcohol and drugs at the health ministry.

Presenting the budget, finance minister Syda Bbumba said a reduction of the excise duty from 60% to 40% would encourage value addition and barley growing in the districts of Kapchorwa, Kabale, Kabarole and other parts of the country.

Uganda imports about 25,000 metric tonnes of malted barley at a cost of about $50 mln (SH100 bln).

26 June, 2009