The Ambassador of Ugandan to the African Union, Mull Sebujja Katende has called for more measures for African countries to work together to curtail drug trafficking.

Mull Sebujja Katende

Katende says Uganda like other African countries is facing a huge challenge of controlling drugs inflow in the country and working with fellow African countries will help curtail the problem.

He mentioned the recent seizure of drugs abused by students in schools, and many marijuana plantations including one run by nuns.

Katende was speaking after attending a meeting in Ethiopia where African ministers in charge of internal affairs and security met to tighten loopholes that have enabled drug trafficking cartels to succeed in Uganda.

Particpants expressed concern that drug cartels across the globe to use Africa as a key route to reach international markets.

African Union’s Director of Social Affairs, Olawale Maiyegun told journalists after the ministerial meeting opened  said African countries are looking on how to work together to deal with the problem of drug trafficking.

He says African nations are increasingly facing social and economic problems related to drug trafficking due to the complex and secretive nature of the drug cartels’ operation.

The President of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board, Prof. Hamid Ghodse, said the problem of drug trafficking in Africa had gained international attention due to its negative effects on Africa’s political stability and security.

Drug control experts said proceeds of crime, such as money obtained from the illegal drug trade in Africa, is increasingly finding its way into the real estate business in Africa, where several cities are recording unprecedented construction booms, linked to money-laundering.

The problem of drug trafficking has also led to high-level corruption, as the cartel has infiltrated the Police, the Courts and the political parties in several African countries.