Hazardous pesticides: The silent killer in Uganda

KAMPALA, January 9, 2025 — Civil society organisations in Uganda have raised concerns over the unchecked use of hazardous pesticides, describing the bad practice as an escalating threat to public health, biodiversity, and food security.

Advocates for sustainable farming, environmental protection, and food sovereignty call on the government to enforce stricter regulations and ban dangerous chemicals, such as glyphosate and chlorpyrifos.

A joint statement released by various organisations highlighted pesticide risks to human health, ecosystems, and socio-economic well-being. “The World Health Organisation [WHO] estimates that 385 million cases of unintentional pesticide poisoning occur globally each year, resulting in 11,000 deaths, the majority of which are in low- and middle-income countries,” the statement revealed.

The statement said vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, are at heightened risk, with children, for example, inhaling twice the pesticide dose of adults when exposed to aerial spraying.

The Alarming impact of pesticides
Highly Hazardous Pesticides [HHPs], which are associated with severe health issues such as cancer, reproductive toxicity, and DNA mutations, continue to be widely used in Uganda. As of July 2023, over 65 percent of the 55 pesticide ingredients classified as HHPs had been banned in the European Union, yet they remain approved for use in Uganda.

The environmental impact of pesticides is equally troubling. Runoff into water bodies is reducing aquatic biodiversity by 42 percent, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and pollinators like bees—which are crucial for 75 percent of global crop production—are facing significant threats. The situation is exacerbated by counterfeit agrochemicals, which make up 40% of Uganda’s pesticide market, causing severe financial losses and exposing small-scale farmers to health risks.

The Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] reported that Uganda’s pesticide imports more than doubled between 2010 and 2022, with quantities rising from 2,990 to 6,009 tonnes. While pesticides are vital for pest control, their misuse has devastating consequences for agriculture and trade. In 2020, Uganda lost $60 million in fresh produce exports due to pesticide residue violations.

Call for agroecology and regulation
Civil society groups are advocating for a shift towards agroecological practices, promoting sustainable farming methods that utilise organic pesticides and locally available materials.

Hakim Baliraine, Chairperson of the Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers’ Forum [ESAFF] Uganda, said, “The use of synthetic pesticides is making small-scale farmers ill and impoverished, as they contaminate water sources and the environment. Agroecology offers a healthier and more sustainable alternative.”

Baliraine further explained that ESAFF has been running awareness campaigns to educate farmers about safer pest control methods. He urged farmers to embrace agroecology, which reduces reliance on harmful chemicals, promotes biodiversity, and enhances resilience to climate change.

Civil society groups also issued a series of recommendations, urging the government to:

• Accelerate the profiling of agrochemicals available on the market
• Ban the importation of highly hazardous pesticides
• Strengthen regulations and public education on pesticide use
• Invest in research and innovation for sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroecology and integrated pest management
• Fast-track the implementation of the National Agroecology Strategy

A call for action at the CAADP Summit
The forthcoming Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme [CAADP] summit in January 2025 presents a vital opportunity for Uganda to prioritise agroecology as a key strategy. Civil society organisations argue that shifting to sustainable farming will protect public health, ensure food security, and preserve the environment.

As Uganda contends with the challenges posed by synthetic pesticides, calls for change are intensifying. Transitioning to sustainable agriculture may provide the solution to reducing reliance on harmful chemicals, protecting livelihoods, and fostering a healthier future.

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