From: Leo Odera Omolo
Date: Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 7:07 PM
THE Manufacturers of local potent gins packaged in sachets and commonly known as Uganda Waragi, have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni for redress on the ban.
The Ministry of Heath banned the drinks recently after several people died, reportedly allegedly from their consumption.
In a letter to the President,20 manufacturers under the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association are seeking what they termed as “fair treatment” and a lift to the ban imposed on their products.
The NEWVISION newspaper, in its today’s edition quoted the executive Secretary of the Association, Mr Gideon Tuguma, as saying in the letter that since the abrupt ban on the production of their gins, all the industries have closed down, rendering over 800,000 workers jobless.
The manufacturers are also blaming the Health Ministry for not giving them proper guidelines on what to do with the stocks they had in their warehouses.
“Your Excellency, your intervention will not only benefit us as businessmen, but also save all these unemployed Ugandans”, the petition reads.
The manufacturers have also expressed fear over the outcome of their raw materials that had already been imported and those still on transits.
The petition pointed out that the manufacturers entirely depend on bank loans for their operations. “Therefore, with abrupt closure of our businesses, the banks will soon attach and auction our properties and assets as the new measures are being implemented according to the required standards”.
“Packaging the gins in plastic bottles as ordered by the Ministry will even worsen the situation because refilling the used bottles with another gin is not an easy business“, David Ochieng, the managing director of Parambot Breweries was quoted as having said this last week.
Parambot is one of the gins manufacturers banned from distributing their products. They are also the producers of Royal Vodka,Royal Gin and Royal Whiskey and Moon berg Lager Beer.
“The market image we have lost as a result, we can not retain in a short period. Yet gins from neighboring countries are entering Ugandan market. Why are the concerned institution quiet on this issue?”, Mr Ochieng asked.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
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Subject: THE MANUFUCTURERS OF UGANDA WARAGI HAVE PETITIONED PRESIDENT MUSEVENI OVERTURN THE RECENT BAN IMPOSED ON THEIR PRODUCTS BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH