[[{“value”:”Officials who gathered recently to discuss hemp in Uganda included: Joan Machola, foreign minister of the Busoga Kingdom, and mayor-to-be of Jinja City; Michael Mwandha, prime minister of the Bukono Chiefdom, and executive director of Mwamic General Enterprises SMC Ltd; Alice Kaboyo, minister for veterans in charge of the Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region in the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda; Major Tom Lwanga, chairperson of veterans for the Eastern Region and model farmer in industrial hemp as coordinator of 450 outgrower farmers; John Mwiidu, district veterans coordinator, Town of Iganga.
High hopes for hemp to bring ’empowerment, development’
Ugandan officials appear ready to issue the country’s first-ever industrial hemp farming permit, a landmark move that could jumpstart a national supply chain for the crop.
The provisional permit is expected to go to Mwamic General Enterprises SMC Ltd, which is spearheading the Ugandan Sativa Project.
“Hemp can mean a lot in terms of economic empowerment and development in Uganda—job creativity, local production of raw materials” said Michael Mwandha, Mwamic’s managing director.
The permit follows a series of high-level meetings with government officials. Mwandha said Uganda’s prime minister has added discussion about hemp to the cabinet agenda, and that ministries are preparing to support policy development.
‘Massive seed production’
Although detailed regulations are still in the works, Mwandha said he does not expect major restrictions and the project is moving forward with a strategic plan centered on two pillars: “Massive seed production, and pushing our grower farmers to go into high production.”
Mwamic General Enterprises launched the Sativa Project with a pilot planting of 192 seeds in Bwigula, in Uganda’s Eastern Region. That trial yielded 2,300 seeds and provided valuable agronomic data on hemp’s adaptability to the local climate, soil fertility, pest management, and organic pesticide development, according to Mwandha.
45,000 potential growers
Project organizers have structured the initiative around three core farmer groups: trial farmers focused on seed optimization, model farmers who provide training in best practices, and a growing out-growers network. The long-term goal is to establish Uganda’s first hemp processing facility for fiber, hurd, and seed oil extraction.
Mwandha said some 45,000 veterans from Eastern Uganda are willing to grow hemp, and 450 are already participating in organized production groups.
Uganda currently lacks clear legislation distinguishing industrial hemp from marijuana under its narcotics laws. The absence of regulatory clarity has hampered investor confidence and blocked formal market development. However, Mwamic’s progress has drawn attention from policymakers, who are now considering a more defined national hemp policy.
‘Hemp Day’ planned
To support awareness and show public support, Mwamic is organizing an Industrial Hemp Day event on July 9, inviting farming groups, community leaders, and policymakers to attend. The gathering is intended to signal broad-based interest in the crop and its economic potential for Uganda.
Mwandha said the long-term vision includes not only production but education. “We will be opening up an institute for training the young generation who are going to help the communities of Uganda with this new sector of industrial hemp,” he said.
“}]] Ugandan officials appear ready to issue the country’s first-ever industrial hemp farming permit, a landmark move that could jumpstart a national supply chain Read More
