UHRC raises alarm over punitive drug laws as country’s addiction skyrockets

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has called for a shift in Uganda’s response to drug and substance abuse, urging a move away from punitive approaches towards a more holistic strategy grounded in public health and human rights.

The Commission says addiction should no longer be treated purely as a criminal justice issue but as a complex socio-economic challenge driven by poverty, unemployment and weak social protection systems.

The call is contained in the Annual Report on the State of Human Rights and Freedoms in Uganda, which was launched by UHRC at an event presided over by Omara Lamex Opitta, who represented UHRC chairperson Mariam Wangadya.

The report, launched recently at Protea Hotel in Kampala, called for a fundamental shift in how the country responds to drug and substance abuse.

It argues that addiction can no longer be treated solely as a criminal justice issue but as a complex socio-economic challenge rooted in poverty, unemployment and weak social protection systems.

“What begins as an escape from hardship often spirals into addiction, fractured families, lost education, and cycles of crime,” the report notes, warning that young people, who make up about 75% of Uganda’s population, are the most affected.

Drawing on UHRC monitoring and complaints data, the report also links substance abuse to rising mental health challenges, noting that about 40% of admissions at Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital are associated with drug and alcohol use.
Weak enforcement, fragmented laws

Uganda’s drug control framework is anchored in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, which criminalises possession, use and trafficking of illicit substances while providing limited provisions for medical use and rehabilitation.

While presenting the findings, UHRC director of monitoring and inspections Hope Bagota revealed that implementation remains heavily skewed toward punishment rather than prevention and recovery.

“Enforcement efforts emphasise arrests and seizures rather than prevention,” she said, adding that rehabilitation and reintegration services remain underfunded.

She further noted that the alcohol regulatory environment is fragmented, with only 14.6% of districts having local ordinances on alcohol control.

“National efforts to pass comprehensive legislation, including the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, have repeatedly stalled, leaving outdated laws such as the Enguli Act and Liquor Act in force,” she said.

Emerging patterns of substance use

The report highlights a growing shift towards cheaper and less regulated substances, including shisha, codeine-based syrups and pharmaceutical drugs, pointing to rising unconventional forms of substance use.

“In West Nile, youth are reportedly experimenting with Azangi leaves, snakeskin, ‘Seed 36’ seeds, and mixtures of dry paspalum grass and groundnuts used for intoxication practices, the Commission says reflect desperation, curiosity and limited awareness,” the report notes, adding that community monitoring shows the crisis spreading across both rural and urban areas.

The report calls on local leaders to prioritise interventions addressing the challenge.

“In Kapelebyong District, local leaders report increasing cases of idle youth abusing marijuana and other illicit substances. Regional dialogues in Sembabule, Masaka, Lwengo, Acholi and Kigezi also link drug abuse to rising insecurity and potential electoral violence,” it states.

It further notes a worrying trend of early exposure to drugs and alcohol, with many children introduced to substances between the ages of 13 and 15, a pattern it says fuels long-term addiction and social vulnerability.

Recommendations

The report urges the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to strengthen community and institutional sensitisation programmes to promote the right to health and well-being.

“This includes awareness campaigns in schools, workplaces, and communities aimed at preventing and detecting drug and substance abuse early, thereby protecting vulnerable groups from exploitation and harm,” it states.

The Ministry of Health is also called upon to expand access to treatment and rehabilitation services, ensuring they are available, accessible and non-discriminatory in line with Uganda’s human rights obligations.

“Such services must be strengthened to guarantee the realisation of the right to healthcare for persons affected by substance abuse,” the report adds.

The Commission further calls on parents and guardians to play a more active role in protecting children by providing guidance on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, as well as offering emotional, physical and financial support to those struggling with addiction.

On alcohol regulation, the report recommends that the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) strengthen monitoring of alcohol quality and quantity across both formal and informal production channels to protect consumers and reduce harmful products on the market.

Responding to the findings, commission member Omara Lamex Apitta urged government and stakeholders to carefully consider and implement the recommendations, saying they are intended to strengthen the protection of rights and freedoms guaranteed under Uganda’s Constitution and international human rights standards.

He also commended the government for its continued cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, including participation in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.

“Government and all relevant actors should carefully consider and implement the recommendations contained in this report,” he said.

Daniel Ruhweza, a lecturer at the School of Law at Makerere University, criticised the 28th UHRC report, saying it lacked sufficient empirical grounding compared to reports produced by other government agencies.

He called for more rigorous research and deeper analysis to strengthen future reports.

“Such reports need to dig deeper in terms of evidence and analysis,” he noted, urging improved data collection to enhance credibility and policy relevance.