Uganda Launches a Cooperative Dedicated to Medical Cannabis

Uganda continues to structuring its medical cannabis industry with the launch of a national cooperative bringing together producers, investors, and stakeholders in the medical cannabis and hemp industries.

Chaired by the minister Justine Kasule Lumumba, this new organization aims to support the sector’s development, facilitate access to markets and investments, while ensuring compliance with a strict regulatory framework.

Officially established in early October 2026, the Uganda Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Cooperative Society (UMCHICS) aims to bring together professionals in this still-emerging sector and strengthen their representation before the authorities. It also seeks to promote the adoption of common standards for quality, traceability, and compliance—essential requirements for enabling the Ugandan medical cannabis to establish a presence in regulated markets.

A Minister at the Helm of Uganda's Cannabis Cooperative

The new cooperative is being led on an interim basis by Justine Kasule Lumumba, Ugandan Minister of Information, Communication Technologies, and National Guidance. Speaking at the launch, Ms. Lumumba explained that the sector’s credibility would depend on the conduct of each operator.

«We want our members to be judged not only on what they grow, but also on the responsibility with which they conduct their activities,» Ms. Lumumba said, according to the Nile Post.

The cooperative intends to establish a professional structure capable of building trust among regulators, investors, farmers, and government authorities. Members will be required to maintain production records, implement quality controls, and ensure that legally grown cannabis does not enter unauthorized distribution channels.

Strict regulations on cannabis

Despite the establishment of the cooperative, the Cannabis remains a controlled substance in Uganda. The 2024 Act on the Control of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, which took effect on April 14, 2025, authorizes the cultivation of cannabis under specific permits.

At the cooperative's launch, Juma Witonze Kisekka, Uganda’s Minister of State for Home Affairs, reiterated that trade opportunities must remain consistent with national law.

«Our role is not to hinder legitimate business activities, but to ensure that companies operate in compliance with the law and to prevent diversion to illicit markets,» said Mr. Witonze.

According to the minister, regulatory oversight must be extended to the entire medical cannabis supply chain, including seeds, cultivation, processing, storage, transportation, and exports. The authorities also warned that violations of licensing conditions, document forgery, and diversion to illegal markets could result in enforcement actions.

Market Access and Investment Opportunities

Beyond regulatory coordination, UMCHICS aims to improve the business prospects of licensed Ugandan operators in the cannabis and hemp sector. The cooperative has established three membership categories: full members, affiliate members, and partner companies.

Participating companies can benefit from services that connect them with investors, improved market access, and collaboration with other certified producers.

The organization also aims to promote the creation of added value by establishing production standards and traceability starting at the cultivation stage, rather than limiting these measures to the processing or export stages.