Govt Denies Use of Banned Pesticides amid Agricultural Summit Preparations

Scientists such as Maurice Ogenga Latigo, an insect professor and farmer, have leaped to the defence of pesticides, saying while there are dangerous chemicals, those being fought currently are genuinely good products for crops

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has categorically denied allegations that hazardous pesticides, banned in other parts of the world, are being used on farms in the country.

This comes on the back of debate in the media in which articles were published that suggested that pesticides are silent killers.

Last week, Maurice Ogenga Latigo, an insect professor and a farmer, wrote in an opinion in Daily Monitor, suggesting that the issue of chemical pesticides and herbicides was being overblown and that some agents were possibly sponsoring the debate.

Former Agago County MP Latigo's article, published last week, argued that many of the chemicals in question were still in use in other countries.

Latigo, a scientist, has seen his arguments in favour of pesticides give a nod of approval by experts, with Stephen Tibaijuka Byantware, the commissioner of crop protection, stressing that only approved chemicals are allowed for use in Uganda.

"The chemicals available on the Ugandan market are those that have passed both global and national safety standards," Byantware said.

He also assured the public that the country’s agricultural security forces, including the newly established Agriculture Police Force, were ensuring that banned substances, such as DDT and Endosulfan, are not entering the country.

"It is virtually impossible to smuggle these chemicals in," he added.

This controversy comes as Uganda prepares to host the African Union's (AU) extraordinary summit on the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), set to take place from January 9 to 11, 2025. CAADP, which was adopted by AU member states in 2003, seeks to increase agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and promote sustainable development across Africa.

The summit will bring together African Union heads of state to discuss the future of agriculture on the continent, including Uganda’s progress in achieving the goals set out in the initiative.

Uganda’s commitment to the CAADP framework is evident in its continued efforts to align national agricultural strategies with continental goals.

Byantware expressed confidence in the country’s performance, highlighting Uganda’s strong standing in several areas.

"We are proud of our performance, which is comparable to most other countries in the region," he said.

A key focus has been the commitment to allocate at least 10 percent of the national budget to agriculture, a target which Uganda has largely met, despite challenges in the distribution of resources across various ministries.

According to the 2023 CAADP biannual review, Uganda scored a perfect 100 percent for completing the CAADP process.

This included adopting the first strategy, developing the country’s strategic action plan, and engaging stakeholders in regular reviews.

Furthermore, Uganda received an 86.4 percent score for its capacity to generate and utilize agricultural data, reflecting the nation’s investment in agricultural statistics.

Byantware also pointed to the success of public-private partnerships that have linked smallholder farmers to value chains through programs like the Uganda Climate-Smart project and the Agriculture Cluster Development project.

These initiatives, he noted, have played a significant role in improving agricultural resilience, though climate-related shocks have hindered progress in some areas.

The Farm, Pastoral, and Fisher Household Resilience to Climate program, for instance, scored less than 50 percent due to the unpredictable weather patterns affecting rural communities.

Looking ahead, the CAADP summit is seen as a valuable opportunity for Uganda and other African nations to exchange knowledge, best practices, and strategies to build more resilient agricultural systems

. "This summit will provide a platform for sharing experiences, which is essential for feeding our growing population," Byantware concluded.

Uganda’s role in this summit is pivotal, as the country will also be instrumental in shaping the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan.