Future of khat farmers uncertain

 

The future of khat farmers is uncertain

Khat farmers and dealers across the country face an uncertain future following the recent passage of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, 2023 by Parliament. The bill aims to criminalize khat cultivation, and those who oppose it cite concerns about its potential impact on their livelihoods. The bill now awaits President Museveni's assent. Various associations across the country have now decided to petition President Museveni, demanding that he remove khat, locally known as miraa, from the list of narcotic drugs in the bill or take the government to court. On May 5, the Constitutional Court struck down the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act 2015 because it was passed when Parliament did not have a quorum, following a petition by the Association of Growers and Dealers Wakiso Miraa against the Attorney General.

 the government re-introduced the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Bill 2023 with even tougher measures against those involved in narcotics. Several districts are expected to be adversely affected, including Kabarole, Wakiso, Arua and Butambala, where khat has been extensively cultivated for many years. by law if he breaks the law. Farmers said the bill would affect their livelihoods. Mr Vincent Kizito, the chairman of the Wakiso Miraa Growers and Dealers Association, said they plan to petition the president to ask him to disapprove. He said if their petition is rejected, their next step would be to challenge the passed law at the Constitutional Court. 

Human beings, the passing of the bill will affect more than 8 million khat beneficiaries across the country and threaten their livelihood,” he said. However, according to a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Home Affairs, written submissions were met and received from 17 institutions, individuals and organisations, including Wakiso Miraa Growers and Dealers' Association Limited, in drafting the bill. Meanwhile, khat farmers are calling on members of parliament to reclassify khat as a narcotic drug if the bill is sent back to parliament, instead emphasizing its medicinal and recreational uses.'

 Mr Idd Ssentongo, chairman of Mirembe village in Butambala district and a khat farmer, said more than 800 residents depended on khat cultivation for their survival. “It will be unfortunate for the government to be out of work if it has not been able to create jobs for its people,” Mr Ssentongo said. Mr Agnes Katushabe, a khat farmer from Kibasi Town Council in Kabarole District, called on the President to consult with the farmers and provide alternative sources of income if they agree. to the bill.” Khat farmers have small gardens and cannot pay for licenses as proposed by the bill. It would be unfair for the government to let farmers suffer without help,” he said.

 Ms Katushabe said khat farmers in Kabarola had also decided to petition the president to express their dissatisfaction with the bill. “I earn a net income of Shs300,000 per week from selling khat and this money helps me take care of my family,” she said. In Kabarola, where tea cultivation is the main economic activity, some tea growers have recently intercropped with khat tea gardens, a decision that has been influenced by fluctuating tea prices. Mr Geoffrey Twesigomwe, who has a four-acre plot of land for khat cultivation in Kibasi village, Kabarole, said the crop is more profitable compared to other cash crops. He said farmers and their families could turn to crime if their livelihood was disrupted. 

“There is no other crop that can match the profitability of khat. A packet of khat, weighing not even half a kilogram, sells for Shs2,000. However, during the dry season when production is reduced, the price rises to Shs7,000,” he said. Mr Mike Nsereko, chairman of Munkabira Village in Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso, cited research conducted in 2013 by various institutions, including Makerere. The University's School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering, the Ugandan police and the Ministry of Home Affairs have found no health problems associated with the consumption of katha.

 According to a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs, khat has both positive and negative effects. Among the positive effects for those who chew it, Khat, due to its cathinone and cathine compounds, is often used to combat fatigue, increase productivity and maintain alertness during long working hours. In addition, khat is believed to have properties that could aid digestion, act as a diuretic, relieve headaches, and increase sexual performance.

 However, the same report shows that negative effects of khat include abnormal loss of appetite, oral infections such as tooth decay and gum disease, as well as mood swings, including difficulty sleeping, insomnia, anxiety and irritability. Doctors speak clearly Dr Benard Ochen from Masaka Regional Referral Hospital said: “People who use khat can become dependent on it to carry out their daily activities. , and a tolerant one who needs more and more to achieve the effects.

" He said the long-term effects of khat include deterioration of existing health conditions, sleep disorders, liver disease, reproductive problems such as low sperm count, cancer Dr. Richard Baluku from Kasese Community The Medical Center said people who regularly chew khat have a high chance of getting cancer, especially jaw cancer that affects the teeth, and suffer from ulcers.Fines Under the tough law, those involved in drug trafficking face fines of up to Shs1 billion, life imprisonment or both.

 The law also deals with the supply of narcotics to children without medical justification and imposes similar penalties. specialist palliative care certificates or clinical officers who illegally sell narcotics face a fine of Shs 1 billion, 10 years imprisonment or both. Property owners whose land is used for the cultivation of prohibited plants, a fine of up to Shs 1 billion or an amount equivalent to three times the market value of the drug at the time of discovery may be imposed. 

A police officer of the rank of inspector or authorized person may inspect land or premises suspected of growing prohibited plants. Obstructing police officers or authorized persons during inspections is punishable by a fine of up to 50,000 currency points (Shs 1 billion), imprisonment or both. At the request of the Attorney General, the government was authorized to seize property obtained from the proceeds of the sale of narcotics. to the High Court.