The Ugandan government has announced intentions to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21.
According to the World Health Statistics 2023 Report, Uganda is one of the countries with the highest rates of alcohol usage.
According to the WHO research, Ugandans consume 12.2 liters of alcohol per person per year, which is much more than the global average.
“Research has shown that if someone has not taken an addictive substance by the age of 21, they are much less likely to use addictive substances later in life,” said Dr Hafsa Lukwata, the Ministry of Health’s commissioner for mental health, alcohol, and substance abuse.
She stated that the age limit, among other things, will be debated in parliament in the soon-to-be-presented Alcohol Control Bill.
