KAMPALA, April 17, 2026 — Civil society organisations [CSOs] working on food safety have urged government to ensure robust enforcement of the ban on a range of highly hazardous pesticides and agrochemicals being sold on the Ugandan market.
The call follows a directive by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] prohibiting at least 65 per cent of agrochemicals currently used in the country, citing their dangerous chemical composition and risks to human health, animal life, and the environment.
Scientific research conducted in Uganda has found pesticide residues in community water sources, food products, the air, and even in human biological samples such as urine and breast milk. Experts attribute this largely to unsafe application practices, limited technical capacity among farmers and traders, and poor adherence to post-harvest intervals. Some of the banned substances had already been prohibited in their countries of origin.
A 2024 review by the Food Safety Coalition of Uganda found that more than 65 per cent of agrochemical products in use locally are banned elsewhere, underscoring the need for stronger regulatory action.
CSOs, led by SEATINI, are now calling on government to gazette and publish a comprehensive list of restricted substances. They also recommend training farmers and extension workers in integrated pest management, strengthening market surveillance, and supporting exporters to comply with sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
In a recent joint statement, the organisations further called for increased budget allocations towards agrochemical regulation and improved enforcement oversight to ensure compliance. They also urged the National Agricultural Research Organisation to invest in the development of organic pesticides, biological control methods, and agroecological innovations.
Uganda has seen a sharp rise in pesticide use, more than doubling from 2,990 tonnes in 2010 to 6,010 tonnes in 2022. This surge has had economic consequences, with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards [UNBS] estimating annual export losses of at least US$60 million due to pesticide residue violations.
Although Uganda is a signatory to several international conventions aimed at protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals, concerns remain over implementation. Article 39 of the Constitution provides for the regulation of the manufacture, storage, distribution, and trade in agricultural chemicals.
Regionally, neighbouring countries have taken similar steps. In 2025, Kenya withdrew at least 77 pesticides from the market and restricted a further 200 agrochemicals, while Tanzania banned 805 hazardous pesticides. The European Union, a key destination for Uganda’s exports, maintains stringent pesticide registration and monitoring standards, reflecting growing global concern over health, environmental, and trade risks.
Other organisations involved in the advocacy include Food Rights Alliance, Food Safety Coalition Uganda, Global Consumer Centre, and the Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights.
https://thecooperator.news/desist-from-use-of-chemicals-farmers-urged/
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