MPs Fault Police, Weak Laws in Fight Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Members of Parliament have sharply criticized security agencies and regulatory bodies over what they describe as major failures in tackling alcohol and drug abuse, warning that the country risks losing an entire generation if urgent reforms are not implemented.

The concerns were raised during a session of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, which met officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and the Anti-Narcotics Unit.

Committee chairperson Dido Ali Rasso questioned the legality of current interventions, arguing that policies not formally approved by Parliament lack enforceability.

“In the absence of law, then you cannot effectively undertake the fight against alcohol and drug abuse,” he said, stressing the need for a solid legal framework.

Lawmakers painted a troubling picture of widespread substance abuse, particularly among young people. Peter Kaluma alleged that some police officers are directly involved in sustaining the drug trade.

“My observation is that our police officers are aiding and abetting distribution of drugs… they cannot arrest themselves,” he said, claiming that drug dens operate openly under police protection.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Rosa Buyu, who described law enforcement officers as key beneficiaries of the illicit trade.

“All the strategies we are discussing will not work because the problem starts and ends with the police,” she stated, adding that seized illicit alcohol often disappears while in police custody.

Elizabeth Chelule raised concern over the social consequences of substance abuse, linking it to rising cases of violence and family breakdown.

“Women are suffering. Children are being killed and raped, and this is driven by people under the influence of drugs and alcohol,” she said, calling for stronger community-level interventions.

Responding to the accusations, DCI Director Mohamed Amin acknowledged isolated cases of police involvement but maintained that such conduct is not tolerated.

“Any officer found involved in drugs faces disciplinary and court action,” he said, noting that the Anti-Narcotics Unit is undergoing reforms, including vetting and specialized training.

Amin also highlighted the growing complexity of cross-border drug trafficking, citing networks operating across East Africa and emphasizing the need for regional cooperation.

Meanwhile, NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa admitted that gaps in policy and legislation have slowed progress. He revealed that a national policy on alcohol and drug control has yet to be anchored in law.

“We will ensure it gets legitimacy and the force of law,” he said, attributing delays to technical and drafting challenges.

He further noted that young people—especially university students—remain the most affected group, with studies showing higher-than-average substance use among learners.

The committee is now pushing for a harmonized legal framework, stricter oversight of law enforcement, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration to address what MPs described as a rapidly escalating national crisis.