Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has dismissed reports that she secretly issued licences to some companies to grow and export marijuana for medical purposes.
“I have seen social media posts alleging that I am in trouble over Cannabis and others saying I am dealing in cannabis. It’s unfortunate that some people always choose to circulate wrong information,” Dr Aceng said on Sunday via her Twitter handle. “I have not issued any authorisation for cannabis growing in Uganda. Cabinet is yet to consider the feasibility of this. Until then, I request the population to ignore the wrong media posts and treat it baseless and malicious.”
Since last year, there has been a scramble for cannabis growing in Uganda. By April, about 20 companies had expressed interest in the business.
However, this website has learnt that there are actually other companies involved in cannabis growing, with protection from senior government officials.
In a letter dated September 3rd, 2019, the Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo instructed senior government officials to provide protection to firms that own marijuana plantations in Uganda.
“Colleague, aware of the various directives of Hex the President of Uganda and the nature of activity involved, I therefore recommend to you Prime Ranchers to be given license for the growth and export of cannabis,” reads in part the letter seen by this website adding that “Prime Ranchers Ltd is therefore allowed to continue to provide information and input into their local operation as government finalizes the legal framework implementations of the medicinal Cannabis Sector in Uganda.”
“Furthermore, Prime Ranchers Ltd are directed to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Health and update this office of all activities every 25th day of month from Date.”
In a separate letter dated August 21st 2019, Gen. Odong also wrote to the Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola, directing him to provide security to marijuana growing firms in Uganda.
“The Act enjoins police to supervise the licensed growing of Narcotic and psychotropic Substances.
My attention has been drawn to the fact that Urban Properties Ltd are growing cannabis in Nwoya District experimentally, and Prime Ranchers are similarly doing the same in Luweero District.
I am also informed that the two entities have established a processing plant in Entebbe.
This is to instruct you to establish supervisory and monitoring capacity at both cannabis growing farms as well as at the processing facility,” Gen. Odong’s letter reads in part.
However, this website has learnt that the above companies are operating illegally without licences.
However, Senior officials in the Ministry of Health said that they are stuck with the bids because of lack of regulations governing the undertaking.
The officials said dozens of local and foreign companies and individuals were inquiring about the application process and follow-ups.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 2015 allows cultivation, production and exportation of medical marijuana and mandates the minister to issue written consent for medical marijuana.
Conversely, Dr Aceng insisted in April that the applications will have to wait for the final decision of Cabinet.
She said the absence of regulations to guide on marijuana permits also complicated matters to the extent that the Health ministry and Cabinet did not know how to proceed.
The delay culminated in some companies to put pressure on Dr Aceng inquiring what’s going on.
Some companies accused her of creating a monopoly.
Marijuana companies
Licensed
1. Industrial Hemp (U) Ltd
2. Together Pharma Ltd
Applied pending licence
3. Natgro Phama (U) Ltd
4. Medraw (U) SMC Ltd
5. Urban Properties (U) Ltd
6. Prime Ranchers
7. Silver Seeds (U) Ltd
8. Dave and Dave Group
9. Seven Blades
10. Cannops Africa
11. Quest Worths International Group
12. Premier Hemp
13.Sativa Agro-tech Ltd
14. Zeus Agro Ltd
15. Owesia U Ltd
Credit: www.mondaytimes.co.ug
