Mairungi growers appeal to Parliament
Nov 19, 2009
AN association of mairungi farmers want the cultivation and consumption of the crop to be legalised.
By Milton Olupot
AN association of mairungi farmers want the cultivation and consumption of the crop to be legalised.
Leaders of Habikuma Mairungi Association, comprising farmers from Nakivaale, Kisoro and Kichwamba, yesterday told the parliamentary committee on defence that their livelihood depended on the crop.
The committee, chaired by Matthias Kasamba (NRM), is scrutinising the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Bill 2007. Mairungi is one of the crops that are being considered in this category.
Association leaders Johnson Tinkamanyire, Isaac Mwesige and Joseph Mwesige, accompanied by Susan Beekerleg, a British researcher from the University of Warwick, defended the crop, saying like tea or coffee, it serves as a stimulant.
“Research has shown that mairungi is not as dangerous as alcohol or tobacco,†she said.
Susan named some of the benefits of the drug as keeping drivers on long journeys and watchmen awake. She, however, added that over- consumption was dangerous.
The farmers amused the MPs when they demanded facilitation to access the National Agricultural Advisory Services funds to expand mairungi production.
AN association of mairungi farmers want the cultivation and consumption of the crop to be legalised.
Leaders of Habikuma Mairungi Association, comprising farmers from Nakivaale, Kisoro and Kichwamba, yesterday told the parliamentary committee on defence that their livelihood depended on the crop.
The committee, chaired by Matthias Kasamba (NRM), is scrutinising the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Bill 2007. Mairungi is one of the crops that are being considered in this category.
Association leaders Johnson Tinkamanyire, Isaac Mwesige and Joseph Mwesige, accompanied by Susan Beekerleg, a British researcher from the University of Warwick, defended the crop, saying like tea or coffee, it serves as a stimulant.
“Research has shown that mairungi is not as dangerous as alcohol or tobacco,†she said.
Susan named some of the benefits of the drug as keeping drivers on long journeys and watchmen awake. She, however, added that over- consumption was dangerous.
The farmers amused the MPs when they demanded facilitation to access the National Agricultural Advisory Services funds to expand mairungi production.