news 4 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Warns Cannabis Investors Against Illicit Diversion
The Ugandan government has issued a stern warning to investors in the medical cannabis and industrial hemp sectors, cautioning them against diverting regulated products into the illicit market. Authorities emphasized that misuse of licenses and falsification of records will lead to legal action. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/cannabis-growers-cautioned-over-illicit-operations-5619770
Ugandan authorities are cracking down on potential abuses within the burgeoning medical cannabis and industrial hemp industry. State Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr. Juma Witonze Kisekka, has cautioned investors and farmers against diverting legally grown cannabis into the unregulated market.
This warning comes as the country works to establish robust regulations for the sector. Minister Witonze stressed that while the government recognizes the economic potential of regulated cannabis for investment, employment, and exports, strict adherence to the law is paramount. He stated that any operator found to be abusing licenses, falsifying records, or diverting controlled substances would face severe legal consequences.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Uganda Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Cooperative Society, Minister Witonze highlighted the need to balance commercial opportunities with public health and national security. He affirmed the government’s readiness to collaborate with compliant operators but made it clear that criminal activity masked as legitimate business would not be tolerated.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, 2024, provides the legal framework for this control. Ms. Justine Kasule Lumumba, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, echoed these sentiments, reminding license holders that their permits do not grant immunity from legal obligations. She emphasized that the cooperative’s aim is not to promote recreational use or undermine regulatory bodies, but to foster responsible operations within a highly regulated and often misunderstood industry.