Bars, malwa joints and other alcohol outlets will open after 3pm on working days under new government directives aimed at reducing early-morning drinking and improving productivity in communities.
Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi issued the directives to LC5 chairpersons, city and division mayors and council speakers on August 11, 2026.
The measures also target underage drinking and betting operations. They require local governments to open council meetings to journalists and publish approved budgets for public scrutiny.
Barugahara said bars, malwa joints and other establishments that sell alcohol should not open before 3pm on working days. The restriction will operate within national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations.
He directed local leaders to discourage early-morning drinking and work with security agencies to enforce operating hours.
The minister linked excessive alcohol consumption to idleness, family problems and crime. He said restricting morning drinking would help promote a more productive population.
Bars and other alcohol outlets that repeatedly breach lawful operating-hour directives should be closed, according to the directive. Authorities should also take action against persistent offenders in line with the law.
The minister also ordered tougher action against the sale of alcohol to children.
Bar owners, shopkeepers and operators of malwa joints who sell or supply alcohol to people under 18 should be arrested and prosecuted.
Local authorities and security agencies must enforce the restriction. Establishments that repeatedly sell alcohol to minors should face further sanctions.
The directives also cover betting companies. Local governments must regulate their operating hours under existing laws and regulations.
Barugahara said the measure seeks to protect communities, especially young people, from the harmful effects of excessive betting.
The government has also ordered councils to allow journalists to attend their sittings, similar to media access to Parliament.
Barugahara said this would allow citizens to follow council debates, decisions and the conduct of public business.
Local governments must also display approved budgets on their main council notice boards and other accessible public notice boards.
The minister said public access to budgets would allow residents to know how much money their local governments have allocated to projects and services. It would also help communities track implementation and conduct what he described as “people-led audits”.
Joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities will support implementation.
LC5 chairpersons, mayors and council speakers must take personal responsibility for compliance and report challenges 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,” Barugahara said.
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