Business 2 October 2026 Nile Post
Minister Lumumba Emphasizes Responsibility for Uganda's Medical Cannabis Farmers
Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba has urged Uganda's emerging medical cannabis and industrial hemp sector to prioritize compliance, traceability, and collective accountability. She warned that individual misconduct could jeopardize public trust in the entire industry. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/375152/lumumba-warns-medical-cannabis-farmers-against-ignoring-regulatory-responsibilities
Minister of Information, Communications Technology, and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, stressed the critical importance of responsibility and collective accountability in Uganda’s nascent medical cannabis and industrial hemp sector. Speaking at the first Annual General Meeting of the Uganda Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Cooperative Society (UMCHICS), Lumumba highlighted that the industry’s success hinges on adherence to regulations and transparent practices.
Lumumba, who also chairs UMCHICS, cautioned that any missteps by individual farmers could significantly damage public confidence in the sector. She noted that public scrutiny of cannabis production is understandable, given concerns about regulation, potential diversion, and the benefits Uganda stands to gain. The cooperative, she clarified, is not advocating for general or recreational cannabis legalization but for licensed farmers operating strictly within Uganda’s legal framework.
“A licence is not a licence to ignore society. It is an obligation to comply,” Lumumba stated emphatically. She emphasized that UMCHICS aims to foster a culture where farmers understand and uphold production standards, quality requirements, meticulous record-keeping, and environmental responsibility. The cooperative seeks to demonstrate that licensed farmers can be organized around responsible operations, refuting any suggestions that it promotes drug abuse or undermines government oversight.
Lumumba underscored that collective responsibility is paramount in this sensitive and highly regulated field, where the actions of one member can impact the entire cooperative and the broader industry. She urged members to recognize that their individual freedoms come with collective obligations, and that dishonesty or non-compliance by one farmer can tarnish the reputation of all. The cooperative’s goal is to build a professional institution that earns the trust of farmers, regulators, investors, and the public through robust governance and transparency.