By Eye Media Uganda | Kampala | August 11, 2026
Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has issued sweeping directives targeting alcohol consumption, betting operations and transparency in local governments.
In directives issued on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Balaam ordered local leaders to enforce the measures with immediate effect.
The directives target LC5 chairpersons, city mayors, division mayors and council speakers across the country.
Under the new measures, bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 p.m. on working days.
Balaam said the restriction must be implemented in accordance with national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations.
He also directed local leaders to discourage early-morning alcohol consumption. Security agencies and enforcement teams have been asked to ensure alcohol outlets do not encourage people to spend working hours drinking.
According to the minister, excessive alcohol consumption contributes to idleness, family problems and crime in some communities.
He further directed authorities to protect children below 18 years from alcohol. Establishments found selling or supplying alcohol to minors should face arrest, prosecution and other lawful sanctions.
Persistent violation of lawful operating-hour directives could also result in closure of offending bars and alcohol outlets.
Balaam’s directive also turns attention to betting companies. Local governments have been instructed to regulate their operating hours in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The minister said the measure is intended to protect communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting.
On transparency, Balaam directed all councils to allow journalists to attend council sittings, drawing comparison with media access to proceedings of Parliament.
He said opening council proceedings to journalists would strengthen transparency and enable citizens to follow debates, decisions and the conduct of public business.
Local governments have also been directed to display approved budgets on their main council notice boards and other accessible public notice boards.
Balaam said public display of budgets would enable residents to know what has been allocated to their areas and follow implementation of projects and services.
Joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities have been tasked with supporting local governments to enforce the directives.
“These measures take immediate effect,” Balaam stated.
He called upon local government leaders to take personal responsibility for compliance and report implementation challenges through appropriate channels.
The minister said the measures are intended to promote transparency, accountability, productivity and discipline in communities.
