Last week, Uganda’s alcohol-control debate gained fresh momentum, from protecting young people and families to reclaiming productive working hours from early-morning drinking. The message is clear: our country cannot build a healthy, productive and prosperous future while alcohol-related harm remains unchecked. As we begin a new week, let us move from discussion to action. These are the most valuable hours for building livelihoods, strengthening families and advancing our country.Our morning hours should be devoted to education, employment, enterprise, innovation and community service not spent in bars. To Uganda’s young people: your dreams deserve clear minds, healthy bodies and supportive environments. Do not allow alcohol marketing, peer pressure or the people's normalisation of drinking to convince you that alcohol is necessary for confidence, friendship or success. Your energy, creativity and ambition are among Uganda’s greatest assets. Invest them in learning a skill, starting an enterprise, pursuing education, developing your talent and building meaningful relationships. Parents, cultural and religious leaders, schools, employers, policymakers and communities must create environments that help young people make healthy choices. This includes regulating alcohol availability and marketing, enforcing age restrictions and providing genuine opportunities for education, employment, sports and recreation. A productive Uganda begins with how we use today, especially our mornings. With this fresh week, have purpose, progress and action towards a healthier and safer Uganda. @ UAPA, we treasure you, we need you for #UgandaEmpya – at Uganda