Drugs are silently finding their way into Ugandan universities through secret networks. These drugs are brought in by people known as plugs. A plug is someone who sells or delivers drugs, either as a farmer who grows them or as a middleman.
According to an anonymous source, these plugs are very common around Makerere University and can be found in areas like Kikoni, Kivulu, and Nakulabye.
These plugs have become part of campus life. Some are students themselves who meet big drug dealers in clubs, bars, or even around hostels.
Once they connect, they sell drugs to fellow students and earn commissions. Some also operate online, especially on Snapchat, where they post what they’re selling and disappear after the deal is done.The most common drugs include marijuana (also known as weed), tobacco, methamphetamine (meth), and codeine.
Students also use painkillers like tramadol, which are sometimes wrongly sold over the counter with the help of some pharmacies. These drugs often come with street names like Star Daddy, Purple Haze, Skunk, and Lyca, making it harder for outsiders to understand what’s being sold.
Some of these drugs are very dangerous. Pills like ecstasy can be deadly when used the wrong way, especially when injected.
Students have been warned that overdosing can lead to mental illness or even death. There is also a drug known as scopolamine or devil’s breath, which is believed to make people lose control or energy completely.
This growing trend of drug use at university is worrying. While some students may start out of curiosity or peer pressure, the effects can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
