FORT PORTAL, February 18, 2026 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], through its Department of Crop Inspection and Certification, has intensified enforcement operations in the Rwenzori sub-region, impounding fake, unregistered and expired agro-inputs, closing several shops and arresting one dealer to assist with investigations.
The crackdown comes as the planting season approaches, with the ministry rolling out a nationwide compliance and certification exercise aimed at protecting farmers from counterfeit products.
Speaking to journalists in Fort Portal City on Thursday, Fred Muzira, Senior Agricultural Inspector in the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification at MAAIF, said the operation is intended to safeguard farmers’ investments.
“It is the mandate of the ministry to regulate the quality and standards of agricultural inputs on the market. We cannot allow farmers to suffer losses because of counterfeit and expired products,” Muzira said.
He added that the enforcement exercise is not limited to Rwenzori but is being conducted across the country to ensure compliance, especially during this critical planting season.
Seizures across districts
The operation in the Rwenzori sub-region began in Kyegegwa district, where more than 70 boxes of bio-organic fertiliser branded Mabere Organic were impounded and a dealer arrested.
“In Kyegegwa alone, we impounded over 70 boxes of bio-organic fertiliser that were not registered with the ministry, and the dealer was arrested to assist with investigations,” Muzira said.
The team later proceeded to Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts, where fake inputs, including products branded Rapid Grow and Booster, were seized.
In Fort Portal City, expired agro-inputs were confiscated and several shops closed for operating without registration licences. Similar impoundments of unregistered products were recorded in Kabarole District.
Muzira warned that farmers, especially beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model [PDM], must remain vigilant.
“The government has injected money into communities through the PDM to improve household incomes. It would be unfortunate for farmers to invest that money in fake inputs supplied by unscrupulous dealers,” he said.
Manufacturers also targeted
According to Muzira, some individuals have ventured into manufacturing agro-inputs without seeking certification from the ministry.
“We are seeing people manufacturing products without consulting us to confirm whether they meet the required standards. That is illegal. Under the law, both the producer and the seller of fake agricultural inputs commit offences,” he said.
On the arrest of dealers, Muzira clarified that the aim is to help trace the source of the products. He added that producers of fake inputs do not advertise openly but instead use suppliers, which is why investigations must involve both parties.
He further cautioned traders against mixing agro-inputs with other merchandise.
“Agro-chemicals can be hazardous to human life. You cannot operate a grocery and an agro-input shop in the same space. It puts lives at risk,” Muzira emphasised.
District officials weigh in
Paul Murungi, the Acting Agricultural Officer for Bundibugyo district, said adoption of modern inputs remains slow in the district.
“Many farmers still rely on traditional farming methods. The percentage using certified modern inputs is still low,” Murungi noted.
He acknowledged enforcement challenges at district level, saying districts often hesitate to carry out such inspections because enforcement is largely viewed as the ministry’s responsibility.
Murungi called for stronger collaboration and support to conduct routine inspections.
In Ntoroko district, the Production Officer Dr Patrick Businge Bagonza attributed the low number of agro-input shops to climatic conditions.
“Ntoroko district has only three agro-input shops due to the dry conditions throughout the year. Most businesses here focus on livestock inputs. The majority of farmers purchase their crop inputs from Fort Portal,” he said.
He called for more enforcement support within the agricultural sector. “We need enforcement officers dedicated to agriculture because non-compliance among traders and even some farmers is high,” he added.
Agro-input dealers respond
John Musinguzi, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Farmers Shop in Kisenyi, Fort Portal City, urged the ministry to focus more on manufacturers.
“The ministry should concentrate on arresting the main producers of fake products instead of targeting retailers who may not know the source. If you eliminate the problem at the manufacturing level, the market will automatically be cleaned up,” Musinguzi said.
He encouraged fellow dealers to legalise their operations.
Another agro-dealer, John Mugenyi, cited technical challenges, saying dealers face difficulties generating the PRN required for compliance and therefore called for improvements to the system.
He further stressed that inspections should also extend to remote areas where some dealers operate without oversight.
James Mugabe, the Fort Portal City Agricultural Officer, emphasised that each business premises must be registered separately.
He said that if a trader has multiple branches, each location must undergo inspection and certification.
“Farmers have repeatedly complained about losses caused by fake and expired inputs. I urge dealers to separate and surrender expired products for proper disposal,” Mugabe said.
The inspection exercise has since continued to Kamwenge district and other parts of the Rwenzori sub-region as the ministry intensifies efforts to protect farmers and uphold standards in the agricultural sector.
https://thecooperator.news/maaif-launches-nationwide-crackdown-on-fake-agricultural-inputs/
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