Kaboha
Mairungi / Khat growers under their umbrella body Kabarole Mairungi/Khat Growers and Transporters Association have threaten to sue the government over the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control Act 2023 that has been signed into law.
The law
Thomas Tayebwa the Parliament Deputy speaker on Tuesday announced that President Museveni has signed into law several acts of parliament which included the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control Bill 2023, which allows the licensed farming and use of marijuana strictly for medical use, setting harsh penalties for a multitude of offences related to substances abuse.
The new law was passed by Parliament last year and goes on to allow the cultivation of marijuana and khat strictly for medical and other authorized use, with extreme penalties included like forfeiture of properties and lengthy jail terms and hefty fines for violators.
Kabarole residents dissatisfied with the law
Johnston Tinkamanyire the Association Chairperson says that they are aggrieved by the unconstitutional conduct of parliament and government, in enacting the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act amendment bill 2023 yet the attempt to prohibit the cultivation and trade of Mairungi is not backed by sound scientific evidence.
Peter Mwandara another resident in Kabarole who has been in Mairurungi cultivation for a long time, is worried about its effects which will cause unemployment since many families have been surviving on the Mairungi as a cash crop.
He accuses area leaders especially members of parliament for not standing with their people from the time when the law was being discussed in parliament.
Mwandara, is however optimistic that as growers are not aware of any report of the National Drug Authority, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs or other governmental agencies establishing a causal link between khat production , consumption/ sale/use and harmful social and public health consequences warranting its prohibition under the impugned Act hence choosing to appeal against it.
