An Analysis of The Law on The Prevention of Drug Abuse in Uganda

ABSTRACT The study provided for an analysis of the law on the prevention of drug abuse in Uganda. It therefore expressed concern on the legal framework in regulation of drug abuse in Uganda/ ways through which drugs have been abused in Uganda/ explored the challenges of the law on prevention of drug abuse in Uganda and also prov1ded for summary of findings/ conclusions and recommendations. The study used a doctrinal research method which was based on analyzing legal documents and how they have been used to cover challenges faced by drug abusers in the world, regionally and Uganda. The study concludes that drug abuse continues to pose a serious challenge to health/ social and economic well-being of people in Uganda hence increasing the number of drug addicts irrespective of the law which increases more concentration on law enforcement than prevention/ treatment and rehabilitation. Many of these are located in urban centers mainly in Kampala ci~ largely uncoordinated. The enactment of sound policies and interventions that work to curtail drug abuse in Uganda is long overdue/ if we are to address the physical and social consequences caused by drugs. The study therefore/ recommended Government to carry out teaching of behaviour change of Drug abuse through constant behaviour change communication to the communities especially the youth/ all over the country and this in accordance to findings should start at home/ then schools/ Churches and all big gatherings. The stidyb further recommended for the amendment of the law to clarify the definitions so that related actors and offenses can be comprehensively described and thus eliminating legal gaps among other factors as shown recommended in chapter five.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

DECLARATION .......................................................................................................... i 

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................ ii 

DEDICATION ........................................................................................................... iii 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................................................. iv 

LIST OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................. v 

TABLE OF STATUTES ............................................................................................... vi 

LIST OF CASES ....................................................................................................... vii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. viii 

ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. xii 

GENERAL INTRODUCTION ................................................................................... 1 

1.1 Background to the study ..................................................................................... 1 

1.2 Statement of the problem ................................................................................... 5 

1.3 Objectives of the study ....................................................................................... 6 

1.3.1 General objective ............................................................................................. 6 

1.3.2 Specific Objectives ........................................................................................... 6 

1.4 Research Questions ............................................................................................ 6 

1.5 Scope of the study .............................................................................................. 7 

1.5.1 Content scope ................................................................................................. 7 

1.5.2 Geographical scope .......................................................................................... 7 

1.5.3 Time scope ..................................................................................................... 7 

1.6 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 7 

1. 7 Literature review ................................................................................................ 8 

1.8 Organizational Layout ........................................................................................ 14 

CHAPTER TW0 ..................................................................................................... 15 

LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE IN UGANDA .............. 15 

2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 15 

2.2 National Legal frame work and Regulatory Environment for drug abuse ................ 15 

2.2.1 The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 as amended ......................... 15 

2.2.2 National Drug and Policy Act, Cap 206 ............................................................. 16 

2.2.3 Pharmacy and Drugs Act, cap 280 ................................................................... 22 

2.2.4 Allied Health Professionals Act, Cap 268 ........................................................... 24 

2.2.5 Penal code act, cap 120 .................................................................................. 26 

2.2.6 Pharmacovigilance and Reports Pharmacovigilance Regulation, 2014 ................. 27 

2.3 Institutional framework for drug abuse in Uganda ............................................... 28 

2.3.1 National Drug Authority ................................................................................... 28 

2.3.3 The Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council ....................................... 34 

2.4 International legal framework for drug abuse ...................................................... 36 

2.4.1 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and 

Psychotropic Substances, CHAPTER VI ..................................................................... 36 

2.4.2 Convention on psychotropic substances of CHAPTER VI .................................... 39 

2.4.3 International Narcotics Control Board 1992 ..................................................... .41 

CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................. .43 

WAYS THROUGH WHICH DRUGS ARE ABUSED ................................................ .43 

3.1 Ways through which drugs are abused .............................................................. .43 

3.1.1 Through smoking ........................................................................................... .43 

3.1.2 Through poor storage .................................................................................... .43 

3.1.3Through injections .......................................................................................... .44 

3.1.4 Through selling expired drugs ........................................................................ .44 

3.1.5 Through addiction .......................................................................................... 44 

3.1.6 Through hurting the addict physically .............................................................. .45 

3.1.7 Through overconsumption which lowers one's Finances ................................... .45 

3.2 Reasons why interventions for drug abuse are unsuccessful in Uganda ................ .47 

3.2.1 Regional imbalance in sensitization; ................................................................ .47 

3.2.2 Few provisions in the law of drugs; .................................................................. 48 

3.2.3 Long overdue of interventions; ........................................................................ 48 

3.2.4 Lack of a national commitment.. ...................................................................... 48 

3.2.5 Weak laws and policies in drug control ............................................................ .49 

3.2.6 Lack of consideration of people who inject drugs .............................................. 49 

CHAPTER FOUR .................................................................................................... 50 

CHALLENGES OF THE LAW ON PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE IN UGANDA ... 50 

4.0 Introduction ............................................................... , ...................................... 50 

4.1 Challenges of the Law on Prevention of Drug Abuse in Uganda ............................ 50 

4.2 Efforts to prevent drug abuse through legislation in Uganda ................................ 55 

CHAPTER FIVE ................... , ................................................................................. 58 

CONCLUSIONS, SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............ . 58 

5.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 58 

5.1 Conclusion ..................................................... , .................................................. 58 

5.2 Summary of Findings of the study ...................................................................... 59 

5.3 Recommendations ............................................................................................. 60 

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 63