Boda boda riders have pledged to intensify the fight against illicit alcohol on the market. The commitment was made during a festive season campaign held in Mbarara City.
Organised by the Coalition Against Illicit Alcohol Uganda Chapter (CAIA–Uganda) in partnership with Reach A Hand Uganda, the campaign aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit alcohol.
The Coalition leveraged the festival by using entertainment to increase awareness about the existence of illicit alcohol on the market and to encourage audiences to be cautious about what they drink in the new year, 2026. The festival attracted over 10,000 people, including young people, families, and community leaders.
Humphrey Nabimanya, CEO of Reach A Hand Uganda, said: “This year’s Katereza Festival is dedicated to all those who have lost their lives or suffered ill health due to illicit alcohol. We honour the memory of those who lost their lives and recognise the devastating impact of illicit spirits on families and communities. Together, as the people of Mbarara and Rwampara, as we enter 2026, we are making a commitment to protect our lives and those of our loved ones by making safer choices against illicit alcohol.”
As 2026 ushered in, attendees enjoyed vibrant cultural performances and music from renowned artists including Allan Toniks, Ykee Benda, Ray Signature, Ashaba Music, Ragga Dee, and others, who used their performances to encourage audiences to choose regulated spirits and be cautious about what they drink.
Comedian Kachina engaged the crowd throughout the festival, reiterating one of the campaign’s key messages: “Pause and think before you drink—8 in 10 Ugandan drinkers consume illicit alcohol.” He encouraged audiences to protect themselves and those around them in an entertaining and relatable way.
On 29 December, the Coalition onboarded 50 boda boda riders in Mbarara under the Ebiboozi Bya Boda initiative, which loosely translates to “Boda Boda Conversations.”
The initiative leverages boda boda riders as trusted community voices to spark continuous conversations with passengers and fellow community members about the existence of illicit alcohol, promote safer lifestyle choices, and encourage responsible decision-making during the festive season and beyond.
The initiative was launched with a roadshow around Mbarara City. Speaking during the roadshow, Atwine Augustine, Chairman of the Boda Boda Lugazi Market Stage, said:
“On behalf of all boda boda riders who have been initiated into the initiative, we pledge to engage our passengers and colleagues to be cautious about the alcohol they drink because there is a lot of illicit alcohol on the market.”
On 30 December, CAIA–Uganda held a community football tournament featuring six teams in Kempungu, Mbarara, using sports as a platform to engage residents with messages about cautious drinking and community safety. The winning team walked away with a trophy and a goat.
Assimwe Daniel, one of the players, thanked the Coalition, saying: “This tournament has not just been about the trophy or the goat; we have also learned a lot. Personally, I have learned that not all alcohol is safe for consumption.”
Additionally, on 29 and 30 December, the Coalition leveraged Reach A Hand Uganda’s Kwiso Mu Cinema initiative, a film-based outreach platform, to screen real-life and relatable community stories, reaching over 300 people in Mbarara.
After each screening, a dialogue session was held to spark conversations among community members about the existence of illicit alcohol and encourage reflection before drinking.
Recent census data indicate that the Western Region of Uganda is home to approximately 11.6 million people, representing about a quarter of the country’s population. Mbarara City alone has an estimated population of 264,000 residents, making it one of the largest urban centres in the region.
With research indicating that around 65% of all alcohol consumed in Uganda is illicit, the scale of unregulated spirits consumption underscores the urgent need for sustained awareness and prevention efforts in Western Uganda and beyond. CAIA–Uganda remains committed to addressing this challenge.
The Coalition discourages the abuse of all forms of alcohol and encourages adults of legal drinking age who choose to drink to avoid illicit alcohol and opt for regulated products that meet established safety standards. It also emphasises safeguarding against exposure to alcohol among those below the legal drinking age in the new year, 2026.
In 2026, the Coalition will continue its efforts to reach more districts, including Gulu, Mbale, and Jinja, while ensuring continuous and sustained awareness in areas where festive season activations were held, such as Arua, Kampala, and most recently, Mbarara.
