Uganda government has reinstated the use of breathalysers two years after the ban by the Ministry of health.
In a Press release issued by the Director General of health services in the Ministry of Health, Dr Henry G. Mwebesa the return of breathalysers is a result of increased road accidents in the country.
He states that this was reached at after a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Police and the Ministry of Health after reports of increasing accidents on the roads of which 40% of these accidents have been fatal.
“Ugandans are the leading alcohol consumers in Africa, many drivers drive under the influence of Alcohol. You will recall due to COVID19 in 2020 the MoH advised use of breathalysers for fear of spreading COVID19 in the process, it is sad to note that since then Uganda has registered an increase in the number of road traffic accidents with 40% being fatal, accidents due to drunk driving can be dangerous to all road users including children, pedestrians and drivers who are not drunk” Dr Mwebesa observed
He adds that following the reduction in COVID19 cases, the MoH has evaluated the risk of getting it through breathalysers and finds it very negligible. Besides Uganda Police Force has comfirmed that each client will use a seperate, sealed and disposable tube to breath through the breathalyser
It is therefore against this background that the Ministry of health recommends immediate re-introduction of breathalysers to test the level of alcohol consumed by motorists.
Mwebesa notes that this is a countermeasure against deaths in road traffic accidents caused by drunk drivers, however the members of the public are advised not to drive after consumption of alcohol and to cooperate with Uganda Police
Mwebesa’s communique has been welcomed by mixed reactions among members of the public especially on social media who are saying that these are reactionary measures by government to collect more revenue after the World Bank announced that no more funding for Uganda due to the Anti gay law
