The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura has asked his officers to stop arresting marijuana smokers, saying they should instead focus on other options like mobilising them to abandon the habit.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Andrew Sorowen communicated the IGP's new directives while meeting residents of Wakiso and Kampala districts at Kawempe Muslim Secondary School in Kampala on Sunday.

He said the Police should instead focus on the source (people who grow marijuana and those who trade it). Marijuana is a narcotic drug and its possession and consumption is contrary to the Ugandan laws.

Mr Sorowen also ordered police officers to stop arresting suspects on non-capital offences on Friday because the Force has received complainants that officers arrest people as way of harassing and extorting money from suspects.