Uganda: Govt Backs Medical Cannabis Investment, Warns Against Illicit Diversion

What the report says

Uganda’s government has expressed support for regulated medical cannabis and industrial hemp investment, while warning that any misuse of licences or diversion into illegal markets will face enforcement. The remarks were delivered in Kampala on 2 October 2026 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 carried by Nile Post and distributed by AllAfrica, Witonze said the sector could help with agricultural transformation, pharmaceutical development, scientific research, jobs, investment and export diversification. He stressed, however, that cannabis remains a controlled substance under Uganda’s legal framework and that regulated medical or industrial use should not be confused with broad legalisation.

He pointed to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 2024, which took effect in April 2025, as the basis for licensing certain medical uses under strict conditions. Witonze said government’s aim is not to block legitimate business, but to ensure traceability, record-keeping and security across the value chain, from cultivation and processing to transport, export and disposal.

The minister also urged UMCHICS members to work closely with regulators and uphold scientific standards and accountability. The warning reflects a broader policy challenge for countries exploring cannabis-related industries: encouraging investment while preventing criminal diversion and protecting public health and national security.