SIX ARRESTED FOR GROWING MARIJUANA IN MASINDI

BY INNOCENT ATUGANYIRA
IN BUNYORO—-

Police in Masindi district have this evening arrested six suspects in connection with marijuana growing in Kijura South Cell Central Division in Masindi Municipality.

The suspects identified as Mubiru Latif 43, Tumusiime Delta 16, Amanyire Judith 21, Asaba Robert 39, Musinguzi Patrick 45, and Majara Jane 43, the wife of the key suspect Kamanyire Deo, who is currently on the run, are residents of the above area.

Speaking to our reporter at the scene, Asaba Robert and Musinguzi Patrick denied the allegations of growing marijuana, saying that though they are closest neighbors, they don’t grow marijuana, and they are not part of them.

Majara Jane confessed that they grow marijuana for medical purposes not related to business. According to her, they are used to relieve diseases related to cancer, diabetes, pressure, and coccidiosis in poultry, adding that they were recommended by a health expert whom she didn’t disclose.

She also disclosed that she got the seedlings from Hoima district.

The Kijura South LC1 Chairperson, Alfred Kwamya, condemned the act, saying he was unaware of Kamanyire growing marijuana.

He also attributed the increasing crimes in his area to the growth of such weeds, thus asking residents to report other people growing crops.

Patrick Alinaitwe, the LC2 Chairperson for Western Ward, asked the youth to engage in productive activities like growing sugar cane and food crops rather than engaging in theft and growing marijuana.

According to ASP Odwonga Robert, in charge of Field Force Unity Masindi, they were able to arrest the suspects through an intelligence-led operation, noting that they were going to investigate, screen the suspects, and detain the key suspect.

He noted that they discovered about an acre of marijuana, and some were planted within the compound. The harvested marijuana was stored in the house, and they wanted to find out where they got the seedlings and the people who bought it, noting that they destroyed the garden and burned it or took it to the police.