MASINDI, October 5, 2026 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] has impounded fake agro-inputs worth Shs 30 million and closed five agro-input shops in Masindi Municipality in a campaign aimed at protecting farmers from losses that come with the use of such agro-inputs.
The impoundment followed an enforcement operation recently conducted by officials from MAAIF, the police and Masindi Municipal Council.
George Wandera, an inspector at MAAIF, said the operation was aimed at inspecting the standards of products being sold, verifying dealers’ documents and ensuring that premises were certified.
He said 17 agro-input shops were inspected, resulting in the impoundment of approximately 20 litres of fake and expired pesticides and 170 kilogrammes of unregistered, expired and counterfeit fertilisers.
“These exhibits will be transported to Entebbe for further action,” Wandera said.
Wandera said shops whose owners closed and fled after seeing the inspection team would be handled by the municipal agricultural inspector.
He added that only five of the 17 shops inspected had all the required certificates.
“Five others had expired premises certificates, and those that have since completed the renewal process have been reopened,” Wandera said.
The inspector said the enforcement operation was initiated to curb the sale of fake, expired and unlicensed agro-inputs, noting that many farmers, particularly those benefiting from government programmes, had suffered significant losses.
He advised farmers to always check the expiry dates of products before purchasing them from agro-input shops to avoid losses.
Wandera also urged agro-input dealers to avoid purchasing products from unlicensed companies and to return products nearing their expiry dates to manufacturers.
He said a similar enforcement operation in neighbouring Kiryandongo District uncovered seeds packed in 2024 that had developed weevils, which significantly affects their quality.
“Masindi is a hotspot because most agro-input dealers buy their products here. Once the issue is addressed in Masindi, then Kiryandongo will also be safe. We will conduct targeted operations for those who closed and fled,” he said.
Davis Barungi, the Masindi Municipal Agricultural Inspector, appealed to agro-input dealers to obtain all the required certificates and sell only licensed products to protect farmers from counterfeit inputs.
He emphasised the importance of dealers obtaining premises certificates, practising safe handling and use of agro-chemicals, employing trained personnel and avoiding the sale of expired products to prevent enforcement action.
Paul Omoko, the Masindi Municipal Town Clerk, commended MAAIF for conducting the enforcement operation.
He said safety was a key concern, particularly the employment of qualified personnel to handle agro-inputs and agricultural chemicals, in order to reduce the risks associated with their use.
Omoko urged MAAIF to extend its enforcement efforts beyond urban areas to rural communities, where many farmers purchase agro-inputs.
Although the relevant ministries and partners have made efforts to create awareness about the agro-inputs on the market and where farmers can access them, gaps remain in policy and regulation to ensure that smallholder farmers in Uganda have access to genuine, quality and affordable agro-inputs.
https://thecooperator.news/maaif-cracks-down-on-fake-agro-inputs-in-rwenzori-sub-region/
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