Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), committed to promoting sustainable agricultural trade, quality assurance, product safety, food safety nutrition and sovereignty have expressed concern over the growing rapid increase in pesticide use, more than doubling from 2,990 tonnes in 2010 to 6,010 tonnes in 2022 (FAO, 2022), with import values reaching $75.87 million in 2022.
Scientific evidence from Uganda has documented the presence of pesticide residues in community water sources, food products, and air, as well as in human biological samples such as urine and breast milk.
The chemicals are linked to serious effects on human and animal (livestock and wildlife) health outcomes, as well as environmental risks which include carcinogenic effects.
These exposures are largely attributed to the misuse and unsafe application of pesticides, driven by limited trader and farmer and chemical vendors’ technical capacity, inadequate adherence to post-harvest intervals, and low utilization of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE contrary to the Agro Chemical Control Act.
In a bid to support Uganda’s recent commitments in Strengthening pesticide regulation civil society is calling upon the Ministry of Agriculture to issue a public notice and ensure widespread dissemination detailing recalled and banned pesticides.
Herbert Kafeero the deputy executive director SEATINI says Action by Government will demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding public health and environmental integrity while enhancing the credibility of Uganda’s agri-food products in regional and international markets.
