LUWEERO.
It is now official that any Ugandan who secure a license can grow ,process and export marijuana .
On Monday , government has granted an experimental license to Bright Sparks Farm Limited for growing, processissing and exportation of medicinal cannabis with strict guidelines under the Uganda Police Force watch as supervisory authority.
According to a letter dated July 21, 2025 and signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs Gen Kahinda Otafiire and copied to the Inspector General of Police Bright Sparks Farm Limited is now free to venture into the business .
“The license is not transferable and guides the farm to conduct their business in Kisweramindu, Lwampanga in Nakasongola District and Muwanya in Luweero District. In line with the existing controls, the Uganda Police Force will supervise the farm operations as mandated ,” the authorizing letter signed by the Minister says .
The grant of an experimental license follows an earlier application dated June 11, 2025 for grant of license to grow, process and export medicinal cannabis by directors at Bright Sparks Farm Limited.
In February 2024, President Museveni assented to the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (control) Act 2023 which among others allows licensed farming and use of cannabis strictly for medicinal use. The Ugandan law sets harsh penalties for a multitude of offences related to substance abuse.
The law criminalizes persons found cultivating prohibited plants without license issued by the Minister of Health and such persons are liable to pay a fine of Shs2.4bn or three times the market value of the prohibited plant or imprisonment for 5-years or both.
Among the controlled substances listed under the law, cannabis and Khat commonly known as Mairungi or Miraa only be cultivated with licenses and only consumed on medical prescription.
While the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (control) Act 2023 is in place to safeguard the abuse of prohibited substances, a section of leaders among other stakeholders want the government to initiate community sensitization programmes about the new law.