Awerial destroys illicit alcohol

Drinkers in Awerial will no longer access illicit alcohol locally called ‘siko’ and Uganda-distilled Star Gin after the county authorities destroyed over 800 liters of the toxic drink on Wednesday.

The commissioner also burnt 1,000 bottles of Star Gin and brewing apparatus that were confiscated in 2022 during a crack down on illicit alcohol.

” This is to show that Awerial is serious. We don’t want alcohol; and I am telling the security forces to continue with crackdown,” said Philip Mawut .

He warned the  of serious consequences if found brewing siko or selling Star Gin.

Lakes state government criminalized the sale and consumption of alcohol during a September 2021 conference.

As part of the 55 bylaws that were adopted by the state, the parliament signed it into law in March 2022 and the state government gave mandate to the security forces to crack down on the alcohol, hookah shisha, and marijuana.

Some of the residents who reacted to the destruction of the alcohol appreciated the county government for the initiative and promised to provide information when there is illegal brewing.

Some counties in different states have carried out a similar crack down on illicit drinks.

In January, authorities in Twic Count in Warrap State illegalized production of the local alcoholic beverage.

They said the drinks were easily accessible to young people because they were cheap and thus they abused them. A 500ml bottle of siko cost 500 Pounds there.

Alcohol causes high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems, according to health experts.

They also say alcohol causes cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.

It weakens the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick, earning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.