By Caroline Kirabo
The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropics Substances Bill 2023 prohibits the cultivation, sale and consumption of marijuana and Mayirungi in the country.
This bill was passed by parliament last year and sent to the president for signature, amid complaints from MPs from mayirungi-growing areas.
Those planning to grow and sell the drugs, must first apply for a license from the Ministry of Health and the cultivation of the drugs must be done with the aim of making medicine.
Under the Act, those who remain involved in the cultivation of the drugs , face up to 10 years in prison, while the owners of phamarcy or hospitals that order people to use the drugs face a fine of up to a billion Ugandan shillings or up to 10 years in prison.
Meanwhile, the President has signed the Judiciary Act , which increased the number of judges of the Court of Appeal from the current 15 to 35 judges.