Adjumani | Civil society organizations in Uganda have raised the alarm over the unregulated use of hazardous pesticides, describing it as a growing threat to public health, biodiversity, and food security.
Advocates for sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and food sovereignty are urging the government to impose stricter regulations and ban particularly harmful chemicals like glyphosate and chlorpyrifos.
A joint statement issued by various organizations emphasized the dangers posed by pesticides to human health, ecosystems, and socio-economic well-being.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 385 million cases of unintentional pesticide poisoning occur annually worldwide, with 11,000 fatalities, most of which are in low- and middle-income countries,” the statement revealed.
Vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly face heightened risks, with children, for instance, inhaling twice the pesticide dose of adults when exposed to aerial spraying.
The alarming impact of pesticides
Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), which are linked to severe health conditions like cancer, reproductive toxicity, and DNA mutations, remain widely used in Uganda.
By July 2023, over 65% of the 55 flagged pesticide ingredients classified as HHPs were banned in the European Union but still approved for use in Uganda.
Beyond health concerns, pesticides are wreaking havoc on the environment. Runoff into water bodies is diminishing aquatic biodiversity by 42%, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and pollinators like bees—vital for 75% of global crop production—are under significant threat.
The situation is further compounded by counterfeit agrochemicals, which make up 40% of Uganda’s market, causing substantial financial losses and exposing small-scale farmers to health risks.
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reported that Uganda’s pesticide imports more than doubled between 2010 and 2022, with quantities increasing from 2,990 to 6,009 tonnes.
However, while pesticides are crucial 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 have proposed a shift toward agroecological practices, emphasizing sustainable farming techniques using organic pesticides and locally available materials.
Mr. Hakim Baliraine, Chairperson of the Eastern Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) Uganda, said, “The use of synthetic pesticides is making small-scale farmers sick and poor as they contaminate water sources and the environment. Agroecology offers a healthier and more sustainable alternative.”
Mr. Baliraine highlighted that ESAFF has been promoting awareness campaigns to educate farmers about safer pest control methods. He encouraged farmers to adopt agroecology, which reduces dependency on harmful chemicals, supports biodiversity, and strengthens resilience to climate change.
The civil society groups also issued a set of recommendations, urging the government to: expedite the profiling of agrochemicals 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 like agroecology and integrated pest management, and fast-track the implementation of the National Agroecology Strategy.
A push for action at the CAADP summit
The upcoming Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) summit in January 2025 presents a critical opportunity for Uganda to prioritize agroecology as a key strategy.
Civil society organizations argue that transitioning to sustainable farming will safeguard public health, ensure food security, and protect the environment.
As Uganda grapples with the challenges posed by synthetic pesticides, the voices advocating for change are growing louder.
The shift to sustainable agriculture may be the answer to breaking the dependency on harmful chemicals, protecting livelihoods, and fostering a healthier future.
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