agriculture 25 August 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Bill to Combat Counterfeit Agricultural Inputs Introduced in Parliament
A new bill has been tabled in Uganda's Parliament aiming to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and sale of agricultural inputs, including veterinary medicines and chemicals. The legislation seeks to establish a dedicated authority to address the pervasive issue of counterfeit and substandard products harming both animal and plant health, as well as food safety. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4577/bill-regulate-manufacture-and-sell-agricultural-inputs-tabled
Uganda’s Parliament is set to scrutinize ‘The Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority Bill, 2026’, introduced by the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze. This proposed legislation aims to bring order to the production, distribution, importation, and supply of vital agricultural resources such as veterinary medicines, veterinary devices, agricultural chemicals, and related application equipment.
The bill’s primary objective is to tackle the growing problem of counterfeit and substandard products flooding the market. These inferior goods are not only detrimental to livestock and crop health, leading to increased pest and disease outbreaks, but also pose significant risks to human health through contaminants like aflatoxins and heavy metals in food.
A key feature of the bill is the proposed establishment of the Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority. This new body would be responsible for ensuring that all veterinary and agricultural inputs meet required standards and would oversee the licensing of manufacturers and distributors.
The current regulatory landscape is described as fragmented, with multiple agencies overseeing different aspects, leading to inefficiencies and duplicated efforts. The new authority is expected to streamline these processes, improving the overall regulatory framework.
Proponents of the bill anticipate several positive outcomes, including the promotion of clean agricultural practices, improved human, plant, and animal health, and enhanced consumer safety and confidence. Furthermore, it is expected to boost Uganda’s agricultural export market by improving the integrity of its products and ultimately increasing the incomes of those involved in the food value chain.
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for detailed review and is expected to be reported back to the House within 45 working days.
Source: Parliament of Uganda