Govt Backs Medical Cannabis Investment, Warns Against Illicit Diversion

What the report says

Government has said it supports investment in regulated medical cannabis and industrial hemp, while warning that the sector must not become a channel for illicit drug diversion. The remarks were made by Minister of State for Internal Affairs Juma Witonze Kisekka during the annual general meeting of the Uganda Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Cooperative Society Limited (UMCHICS), which was chaired by Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba.

According to the report, Witonze said the industry could support agricultural transformation, pharmaceutical development, scientific research, jobs, investment and export diversification. He linked that support to Uganda’s legal framework, including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 2024, which places cannabis under controlled rules and allows licensing for specified medical uses. He stressed that medical and industrial use should not be confused with general legalization.

The minister said the government’s concern is to protect public safety and national security while allowing legitimate business activity. He called for strong licensing, traceability and security across the full supply chain, from seed and cultivation to processing, transport, export and disposal. He also urged operators to keep proper records and comply with the law.

The warning comes as Uganda develops rules for a sector that combines health, agriculture, industry and trade. In general, such systems are designed to prevent misuse while giving approved companies a legal path to operate, although the precise pace of implementation will depend on enforcement and licensing decisions.