Six people in Kasese district have been nabbed in a joint security operation for growing cannabis at Queen Elizabeth national park.
The action was taken by Police, UPDF and UWA officers on Saturday.
The suspects are; Friday Wilson (52 years old), Nason Thembo (23 years), Zalimoni Masereka (38 years), Kyomuhendo Mugasa (29 years), Happy Moses (30 years) and Edison Twesigwe (35 years), all residents of Nyakasanga in Kasese municipality.
According to ASP Vincent Mwesige, the Kasese Police Public Relations officer, the suspects had planted over one hectare of cannabis 15 Kms deep into the national park.
The suspects are still kept at the Kasese central police section awaiting court.
ASP Mwesige has appealed to public to desist from growing cannabis without a license.
A $12 million (UGX44.5 billion) medical marijuana production plant in Kasese District is under construction creating the opportunity for Uganda to start producing and exporting the drug for medicinal purposes.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 2015, allows the cultivation, production, and exportation of medical marijuana and authorizes the Minister for Health to give written consent for medical marijuana.
According to the government, Individuals and companies involved in the growing or export of marijuana for medical purposes will be required to present minimum capital of $5m (UGX 18.3b) and a bank guarantee of up to UGX4billion.
However, the cabinet yet to explore and decide on guidelines for growing medical marijuana in Uganda before Parliament can be notified.
