Uganda now narcotics consumer, says Kayihura
Jun 24, 2008
UGANDA has turned from a conduit of illegal narcotic drugs to a consumer, according to the Police chief, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura.
By Steven Candia and Angella Asiimire
UGANDA has turned from a conduit of illegal narcotic drugs to a consumer, according to the Police chief, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura.
Among the drugs being consumed by Ugandans are heroine and the more deadly and destructive cocaine.
Kayihura announced this yesterday at Nsambya Police barracks in Kampala, while setting ablaze seven kilogrammes of seized cocaine and 1,125 pellets of heroine with a street value worth $547,500 (sh884m).
The two drugs, arguably among the most harmful and costly, he said, had previously been channelled through the country by couriers to destinations in West Africa and Europe.
“The CID and other security organisations are following clues about a racket of foreigners, who have started getting these hard drugs to our young children,†Kayihura said.
He noted that drug rehabilitation centres had emerged and that parents had started appealing to the Police for assistance.
Heroine and cocaine are not the only drugs being consumed by Ugandans.
Marijuana, Kayihura pointed out, which for a long time had been restricted to certain districts in the country, has slowly found its way into the city and was not only being widely consumed but also grown.
“It is becoming pervasive,†Kayihura said, adding that a massive campaign, similar to the one to combat HIV/AIDS, was urgently needed.
“If we do not move fast, we may lose an entire generation,†he warned.
The message prompted a reaction from internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda, who said the Government was coming up with more stringent laws on narcotics.
“The penalty will be very severe,†he warned.
He lauded the Police officers involved in the clampdown, for resisting being bribed by drug barons.
The minister particularly hailed Henry Magoola, the Entebbe Airport anti-narcotics chief, who was behind the 7kg cocaine seizure and had resisted a bribe.
The drugs, which were destroyed yesterday, were seized between 2005 and 2007 in over 20 incidents.
Hajji Moses Balimwoyo, the deputy CID director, blamed the increase in drug consumption largely on the lax laws.
“Drug traffickers continue to use Uganda because our weak laws and the punishments are not deterrent enough compared to countries like China and Iran, where one faces death or life imprisonment upon conviction.â€
A detective in the narcotics squad, said: “The Guinean, who was arrested with the seven kilogrammes of cocaine was only fined sh400,000.â€
UGANDA has turned from a conduit of illegal narcotic drugs to a consumer, according to the Police chief, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura.
Among the drugs being consumed by Ugandans are heroine and the more deadly and destructive cocaine.
Kayihura announced this yesterday at Nsambya Police barracks in Kampala, while setting ablaze seven kilogrammes of seized cocaine and 1,125 pellets of heroine with a street value worth $547,500 (sh884m).
The two drugs, arguably among the most harmful and costly, he said, had previously been channelled through the country by couriers to destinations in West Africa and Europe.
“The CID and other security organisations are following clues about a racket of foreigners, who have started getting these hard drugs to our young children,†Kayihura said.
He noted that drug rehabilitation centres had emerged and that parents had started appealing to the Police for assistance.
Heroine and cocaine are not the only drugs being consumed by Ugandans.
Marijuana, Kayihura pointed out, which for a long time had been restricted to certain districts in the country, has slowly found its way into the city and was not only being widely consumed but also grown.
“It is becoming pervasive,†Kayihura said, adding that a massive campaign, similar to the one to combat HIV/AIDS, was urgently needed.
“If we do not move fast, we may lose an entire generation,†he warned.
The message prompted a reaction from internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda, who said the Government was coming up with more stringent laws on narcotics.
“The penalty will be very severe,†he warned.
He lauded the Police officers involved in the clampdown, for resisting being bribed by drug barons.
The minister particularly hailed Henry Magoola, the Entebbe Airport anti-narcotics chief, who was behind the 7kg cocaine seizure and had resisted a bribe.
The drugs, which were destroyed yesterday, were seized between 2005 and 2007 in over 20 incidents.
Hajji Moses Balimwoyo, the deputy CID director, blamed the increase in drug consumption largely on the lax laws.
“Drug traffickers continue to use Uganda because our weak laws and the punishments are not deterrent enough compared to countries like China and Iran, where one faces death or life imprisonment upon conviction.â€
A detective in the narcotics squad, said: “The Guinean, who was arrested with the seven kilogrammes of cocaine was only fined sh400,000.â€