Kaberamaido court jails woman over illegal marijuana business
Nelley Apollo, 27, was found with the substance in her house, from where she would sell it to customers.
Illicit possession, trafficking, or unlicensed farming of marijuana carries extreme legal consequences under Ugandan law
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A court in Uganda's eastern district of Kaberamaido has sentenced a businesswoman to 11 years in jail for unlawful possession of marijuana (cannabis).
Nelley Apollo, 27, was found with the substance in her house, from where she would sell it to customers.
Illicit possession, trafficking, or unlicensed farming of marijuana carries extreme legal consequences under Ugandan law.
What the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 2023 allows is the licensed cultivation and processing of marijuana strictly for medical and scientific purposes and under strict government oversight.
Apollo had appeared before the same Kaberamaido chief magistrate’s court late last year over the same offense and had been cautioned after promising to reform.
Resident state attorney Irene Nambozo, who led the prosecution team, told court that the Kaberamaido and Kalaki district security committees had resolved to ramp up the fight against illegal drug use.
She argued that community members were fearful of people who deal in especially marijuana, and that a deterrent sentence would serve as a warning to would-be offenders.
The court, presided over by chief magistrate Patricia Ndagire, also heard that Apollo put up resistance during her arrest.
Under the law, anyone found possessing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances without lawful authority commits a severe criminal offense.
Before being sentenced, Apollo pleaded for leniency, saying she has children and a family to look after. She also promised to change to another business if pardoned.
But the chief magistrate said Apollo had refused to reform after being pardoned last year.
Ndagire also directed that Apollo be transferred to Soroti Prison from Kaberamaido Farm Prison.
The LC3 chairperson of Kaberamaido town council, Iddi Shika Shika, welcomed the sentence, saying it will act as a warning to others in the business.
He said the fight against marijuana targets its growers, sellers and consumers.
“I want to request my people to change before the law catches up with them. Should they fail to change, they should now see to what has happened to Apollo."
Shika said landlords who will allow their houses to be used for sale and consumption of marijuana, if found during ongoing impromptu operations, will not be spared too.
Kaberamaido resident Geoffrey Opio said the fight against marijuana should be embraced by everyone.