Government Touts Medical and Economic Potential of Regulated Cannabis

What the report says

Uganda’s government is backing regulated cannabis cultivation, saying the sector could offer medical, investment and wider economic benefits if it operates under strict legal controls. The Nile Post reported that Minister of State for Internal Affairs Juma Witonze Kisekka delivered the message at the first annual general meeting of the Uganda Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Cooperative Society (UMCHICS) at Skyz Hotel, where farmers and other sector stakeholders gathered.

Kisekka said the country should not miss what he described as an emerging opportunity, but he stressed that growers and investors must secure the required licences and follow the rules. He also said authorities would keep monitoring the sector to prevent abuse and diversion into illicit markets, and that farms would be expected to operate in approved locations with clear markets.

The article notes that under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 2024, cannabis remains a prohibited plant, although the health minister may issue licences for cultivation or gathering subject to conditions. The law took effect on April 14, 2025, according to the source. Kisekka urged would-be investors to treat compliance as essential.

UMCHICS chairperson Justine Kasule Lumumba said Uganda’s climate and sunshine could support the crop, but she called for quality and responsible production. The broader context is that Uganda is exploring a regulated cannabis and industrial hemp industry, with supporters pointing to possible uses in medicine, agriculture, research and industry, while regulators emphasize traceability, safety and legal compliance.