Youth in Kigezi Region Urged to Avoid Energy Drinks for Sexual Enhancement

By Our Reporter

KIGEZI: Youth in the Kigezi Region have received a heartfelt plea to abstain from using energy drinks as a means to enhance their sexual performance. The call came during a productive one-day dialogue, where young leaders from the Kigezi Sub-region gathered to address critical issues affecting the youth in their community.

The enlightening conversation took place at the Cephas Inn Hotel in Makanga Kabale Municipality. Facilitated by the Naguru Teenage Health and Information Center, an organization dedicated to improving access to high-quality Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, the event sought to foster awareness and responsible behavior.

Dr. Nabwire Justine, a representative from the Ministry of Health, issued a caution against the risky practice of relying on artificial means to boost one's sexual prowess. She stressed that this approach could lead to adverse consequences, especially as individuals age.

Highlighting the questionable efficacy and potential harm associated with energy drinks such as Kituzi and Mukama Nayaba Energy Drink, Dr. Nabwire emphasized that attempting to exaggerate virility using such products is both unnecessary and ill-advised.

The concerns raised echo those brought forward in 2021 by Kasambya County MP Gaffa Mbwatekamwa. Mbwatekamwa expressed alarm over the proliferation of energy drinks in the market without proper regulation. With more than 50 brands of energy drinks available, there are worries about potential health risks due to their uncontrolled distribution.

Supporting Mbwatekamwa's stance, another participant in the discussion agreed that excessive consumption of caffeinated energy drinks could lead to addiction and other detrimental effects on health.

The dialogue expanded to encompass essential topics such as confidentiality, gender considerations, the right to make informed choices, and the importance of providing evidence-based information to young people, especially in urban centers like Kampala.

This one-day dialogue marked a significant step toward promoting healthier attitudes and behaviors among the youth in the Kigezi Region. The emphasis on informed choices and responsible practices aims to empower young individuals to make decisions that contribute positively to their overall well-being.