The misuse of pesticides in agriculture has reached alarming levels, especially in rural-urban farming communities, raising concerns among health experts, environmentalists and farmers.
This escalating crisis calls for immediate action and a collective effort to address the dangers associated with the reckless application of these chemicals, according to Dr Bernard Bwambale, a nutritionist from CONSENT.
Bwambale says agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy and pesticides are commonly used by farmers to protect crops from pests and diseases.
However, the misuse of these chemicals has become a hidden epidemic that threatens the very foundation of agricultural sustainability.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organisation guidelines on pesticide management for highly hazardous pesticides, Uganda uses 18,928.16 tonnes of pesticides annually, which is approximately 0.1% of global pesticide consumption. Common pesticides, including fungicides such as mancozeb, tebuconazole and propineb, as well as insecticides and herbicides, are ranked as hazardous to human health and the environment,” explains Dr Bwambale.
The effects on human health are severe and varied. They range from acute symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headaches, to long-term illnesses, such as cancer, reproductive problems and neurological disorders.
Dr Violet Kanyiginya, the head of food security, agribusiness and environmental conservation at the Kabarole Resource and Research Centre (KRC), states that 70% of farmers in Uganda use pesticides in their farming practices, but a staggering 90% do not follow the safety instructions provided, resulting in significant harm to both farmers and consumers.
Growing more with nature
Organic farming offers a sustainable agricultural system that uses natural inputs, such as compost and crop rotation.
It avoids synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified organisms.
James Mugabe, the Fort Portal city agriculture officer, explains that organic agriculture is a holistic production management system aimed at avoiding the use of chemicals.
“Organic fertilizers are a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, improving soil structure and reducing chemical runoff, among other benefits,” Mugabe says.
Despite the prevalence of chemical and GMO farming, Uganda leads Africa with 210,352 certified organic farmers.
Nutritionist Oteba adds that KRC is currently working with over 100 organic farmers in the Kabarole and Bunyangabu districts.
Their products are traced all the way to Mpanga Market in Fort Portal city, where organic stalls have been established.
“Our sustainability values aim to increase consumer demand for organic ingredients produced by our identified farmers,” says Oteba.
Moreen Nyakato, an organic farmer from Kigarama, Kabarole district, explains that organic farming improves production by enhancing soil health, reducing input costs and fostering a more sustainable farming system.
“My journey wasn’t easy, but hard work paid off. I increased soil quality by using rabbit urine, water and compost manure, instead of chemicals and now I earn a premium,” Nyakato shares with excitement.
She adds that her organic farm is her personal contribution toward an unadulterated food chain, which led to her winning a trip to the Netherlands from Vision Group.
As consumers, we can also play a crucial role in driving change by choosing organic or locally grown produce, supporting sustainable agriculture initiatives, and advocating for stricter pesticide regulations to ensure a sustainable future.
Growing concern
The misuse of pesticides in Uganda’s agriculture sector has become an escalating concern, affecting both environmental and human health.
Studies have highlighted that many small-holder farmers lack adequate knowledge regarding proper pesticide handling, leading to unsafe practices.
Eric Oteba, a nutritionist, presented a report conducted by KRC and Iles de Paix on the realities, limitations and drivers of vegetable consumption and production in the Fort Portal food system in 2024.
The study focused on vegetable farmers and vendors in areas, such as Harugongo, Karangura, Kicwamba, Kihondo and Nyantaboma.
The report revealed that 53% of food vendors were unaware of how the vegetables were produced, but 88.9% knew that the vegetables sold were sprayed with synthetic chemicals, with 44.4% of them preferring pesticide-sprayed vegetables over organically produced ones.
“Only 8% of farmers could interpret pesticide container labels correctly, while the majority of vendors and consumers mistakenly believed that vegetables with pesticide residue were fresher than those without pesticides,” explained Oteba.
The report also found that 41.4% of vegetable farmers had never received any training in pesticide use, and 70.5% of them produced vegetables year-round.
Statistics
“The statistics paint a grim picture, with an estimated 20,000 cases of pesticide poisoning occurring in Uganda each year. This number highlights the gravity of the situation. These incidents often go unreported or are treated as isolated cases, but the damage is widespread,” says Dr Violet Kanyiginya, the head of food security, agribusiness and environmental conservation at the Kabarole Resource and Research Centre.
“In many instances, farmers are unaware of the dangers of improperly mixing pesticides, applying them at unsafe intervals, or using banned chemicals in the absence of regulation,” Kanyiginya adds.
Kanyiginya also points to a WHO report, stating that 200,000 people die annually worldwide from pesticide poisoning, underscoring the deadly toll of improper chemical use in agriculture.
She stresses that the misuse of pesticides is not only a matter of personal health, but also an environmental crisis.
“Pesticide runoff into water sources contaminates drinking water and harms entire communities. The chemicals also damage soil fertility, reducing its ability to support crops in the future. This vicious cycle of misuse and environmental degradation undermines the sustainability of agriculture in Uganda and threatens food security,” emphasises Dr Kanyiginya.
Isaac Odel, an agronomist, confirms that the problem of improper pesticide use is compounded by the lack of education and training for farmers on how to handle pesticides safely.
“While many farmers rely on these chemicals to increase crop yields and protect their harvests, they often lack knowledge about safer alternatives or even the basics of pesticide safety. As a result, the environmental impact is profound, as improper pesticide use leads to soil and water contamination, threatening agricultural productivity and surrounding ecosystems,” explains Odel.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Organic food stalls in Mpanga Market. About 20,000 cases of pesticide poisoning occur in Uganda each year. Photo by Doreen Nasiima
