An Israeli company sets up in Uganda... without the knowledge of local authorities

While Israeli company Together Pharma has just bought cannabis seeds with the intention of growing them in Uganda, the Ugandan authorities report that they have not been consulted on the matter and that this practice is against the law. In Israel, the blockade on exports is a considerable hindrance to Israeli growers, who prefer to grow their own cannabis. relocate their activities. Together Pharma had announced a partnership with an African country earlier in the year, but had not specified which one.

Last April, the company announced a commitment agreement for the sale of five tons of cannabis oil to a Canadian partner. The company has also signed an agreement with «Les Premiers Laboratoires Cosmétiques de la mer Morte» to create cosmetic products based on cannabis. cannabidiol (CBD) extracts from cannabis plants. With this in mind she has therefore purchased seeds from a Dutch supplier, hoping to start sales in January 2019.

The incomprehension of the Ugandan authorities

Nevertheless, it seems that the Ugandan authorities are unaware of Israeli investment on their soil and are not prepared to accept it. not favorable either. The Executive Director of the Uganda Investment Authority, Basil Ajer, pointed out that the institution had not issued any licenses for cannabis cultivation: «It's not even a sector we deal with. It's illegal (...) even for medical purposes», he adds. He points out that this is a matter for the Ministry of Health and the National Narcotics Authority.

However, the latter is also unqualified when it comes to cannabis cultivation and production. Its work is limited to examining the content of imported substances. In fact, the police are responsible for controlling cannabis cultivation. A spokesman, Emilian Kayima, said that the police had not been consulted about the production project, but were opposed to it in any case: «There's no way the police would approve such a project. We already have serious problems. It doesn't matter what the production is for. We can't guarantee that it won't be diverted. We'd be doomed if the country chose to go down that road.

An illegal practice

According to the ugandan law on narcotics and psychotropic substances of 2015, anyone involved in the cultivation, production, sale or distribution of an illegal drug is liable to a fine or imprisonment. The law also prohibits the cultivation of any plant that could be used in the manufacture of psychotropic substances, subject to authorization by the Ministry of Health.

It therefore appears that Together Pharma outlawed. The company, which has authorization to grow for medical purposes in Israel but cannot export due to the blockade, has stated that it is surrounded by specialized local lawyers and intends to defend its interests. The company's strategy, however, is surprising: why hasn't it set up shop in Zimbabwe, The Netherlands, a neighbouring country where the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes is authorized?