By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Minister of Local Government, Hon. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi has issued tough instructions on malwa bar, betting operations limiting time for their activities.
In a strongly worded statement issued today, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Minister stops Malwa bar operators from opening before 3:00PM on working days. The bars found selling alcohol to under 18 year persons will face closure and prosecution.
It all addresses issues of transparency in local council deliberations and operations.
FULL STATEMENT BELOW
REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DATE: 11TH AUGUST 2026
TO: ALL LC5 CHAIRPERSONS, CITY MAYORS, AND COUNCIL SPEAKERS
RE: DIRECTIVES ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY, PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, COMMUNITY PRODUCTIVITY AND REGULATION OF ALCOHOL AND BETTING OPERATIONS
All LC5 Chairpersons, City Mayors, Division Mayors and Council Speakers are hereby directed to implement the following measures with immediate effect:
- ALLOW PRESS ACCESS TO ALL COUNCIL SITTINGS
All councils should allow members of the press access to council sittings, just as Parliament allows media access to its proceedings. This is intended to promote transparency, accountability and public awareness, enabling citizens to follow debates, decisions and the conduct of public business in their respective local governments.
- DISPLAY APPROVED BUDGETS ON THE MAIN COUNCIL NOTICE BOARD
All local governments shall display their approved budgets on the main council notice board and other accessible public notice boards. This will enable members of the public to know what has been budgeted for their respective areas and follow up on the implementation of projects and services, thereby promoting people-led audits, transparency and accountability.
- PROTECT PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS FROM ALCOHOL
Bar owners, shop owners and operators of Malwa joints or other alcohol-selling establishments who sell or supply alcohol to persons under 18 years of age should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Local authorities and security agencies should strictly enforce this requirement, and establishments found repeatedly violating the law should face appropriate sanctions.
- STOP EARLY-MORNING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
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.
This is intended to address idleness, family problems and rising crime associated with excessive alcohol consumption in communities, while promoting a productive and responsible population.
- BARS AND MALWA JOINTS SHOULD OPEN AFTER 3:00 P.M. ON WORKING DAYS
Bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 p.m. on working days, subject to applicable national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations.
- ENFORCE LAWFUL OPERATING-HOUR DIRECTIVES
Bars and alcohol outlets that repeatedly defy lawful operating-hour directives should be closed, and appropriate enforcement action should be taken against persistent offenders in accordance with the law.
- REGULATE BETTING OPERATING HOURS
Local governments should regulate the operating hours of betting companies within their respective jurisdictions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, with the aim of protecting communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting.
IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities shall support local governments in the implementation and enforcement of these directives.
All responsible local government leaders are expected to take personal leadership in ensuring compliance & reporting challenges in implementation through the appropriate channels.
Let us put the interests of our people first, promote transparency & accountability in local government, protect our children, encourage productivity and restore discipline in our communities.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.
Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi
MINISTER IN CHARGE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CC:
- Her Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda
- The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda
- The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament
- The Rt. Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament
5 All Cabinet Ministers
- All Members of Parliament
