Khat(Catha edulis), a narcotic commonly known as mirra in East Africa’s region has become illegal in Uganda afer President Yoweri Museveni penned his signature on the bill banning khat.
Khat growers and dealers have expressed discontent with President Museveni for signing the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act 2023 into law.
Khat Growers and dealers in Wakiso district have vowed to return to court to challenge the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act 2023.
Khat leaves and stem have been traditionally chewed by people in East African countries as a recreational drug to elevate mood (as a euphoriant).
As a medicine, khat leaf is used for diabetes, muscle strength, to lower the need for food and sleep, and to increase aggression, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists khat as a drug that creates “dependence” in people, meaning it produces a continuing desire to keep using it. It is banned in countries like the US and Canada. However, it is legal in some European countries.
Among the numerous chemicals found in the leaves of Catha edulis are alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, and amino acids such as tryptophan, glutamic acid, alanine, glycine, and threonine.
The leaves also contain vitamins such as ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and carotene; minerals including calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and toxic metals lead, and cadmium.
The adverse consequences of khat-chewing range from impotence in men and increased sexual desire in women.
Other side effects of consuming khat range from emotional instability and irritability to more severe ones such as impaired cognitive functioning, chronic gastritis, constipation, anorexia, weight loss, cirrhosis, urinary retention, impotence, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, vasoconstriction, and myocardial infarction.
