
Uganda’s agricultural sector is the backbone of its economy, contributing approximately 24% to the GDP and employing over 70% of the population (UBOS 2024). However, this vital sector faces a significant threat, the erosion of indigenous seeds, livestock breeds, and other genetic resources. Between 2000 and 2023, Uganda lost nearly 40% of its traditional seed varieties, according to the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO 2023). The decline of indigenous livestock breeds, such as the Ankole longhorn cattle, has been similarly alarming, as exotic breeds replace them in pursuit of higher productivity. These trends pose profound risks to food security, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, who constitute the majority of Uganda’s agricultural workforce.
The issue has drawn national attention, with Hon. Nsaba Buturo tabling a Bill in Parliament to protect and promote Uganda’s indigenous genetic resources. The Bill aligns with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), and a call for the fast-tracking of the completion of the Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GRFA) policy for Uganda, emphasizing the conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
"Protecting our indigenous genetic resources is not just an agricultural issue but a national priority for food security and sovereignty," emphasizes Hon. Nsaba Buturo.
Indigenous seeds are critical to Uganda’s agricultural sustainability. These genetic resources are adapted to local conditions, making them resilient to pests, diseases, and climatic variations. However, the proliferation of hybrid and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the region, driven by commercial agriculture and profit maximization by the capitalists and imperialists, is displacing traditional varieties. While modern breeds and seeds promise short-term gains, they demand expensive inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and veterinary care, making them less accessible and sustainable for smallholder farmers enslaving farmers to markets by the multinationals.
The loss of indigenous genetic resources has far-reaching implications. Biodiversity is rapidly declining, undermining ecosystem resilience and increasing vulnerability to climate change. Many staples known for their drought tolerance and nutritional value are disappearing, exacerbating food insecurity.
Economically, smallholder farmers face rising costs and debt cycles as they become dependent on commercial seed and livestock systems. The cultural erosion of traditional farming knowledge and practices further compounds these challenges, threatening Uganda’s heritage and identity.
"We have relied on our indigenous seeds for generations. They are part of our culture and our survival, especially during droughts," says Margaret Akello, a farmer from Soroti District.
To safeguard Uganda’s indigenous resources, the following actions are recommended:
Government should document and preserve indigenous varieties by supporting community-managed seed banks across the country to ensure farmers have access to diverse seed options.
Government and private sector recognition of the contributions of farming communities in preserving genetic resources and protect their intellectual property rights.
Parliament should uphold the President’s decision not to sign the Genetic Engineering Regulatory Act (GERA) and support Hon. Nsaba Buturo’s private member’s Bill to prohibit GMOs in Uganda.
Provide training and financial incentives to encourage the use of indigenous seeds and breeds among smallholder farmers.
Government should allocate 1% of the annual national budget to research institutions like NARO to improve the productivity and resilience of indigenous genetic resources.
Government should fast-track the development and completion of the National Agroecology Strategy (NAS) and the Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GRFA) policy to support agroecological practices leveraging indigenous resources.
These recommendations are in line with international and regional frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Nationally, the proposed measures align with Uganda’s Vision 2040, which emphasizes sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
Hon. Nsaba Buturo’s Bill represents a critical step toward protecting Uganda’s indigenous seeds and livestock breeds. Enacting its provisions will secure the country’s food sovereignty, preserve biodiversity, and empower smallholder farmers. Failure to act will exacerbate food insecurity, economic vulnerability, and cultural loss.
Parliament must rally behind this Bill to ensure a resilient and sustainable agricultural future. Stakeholders, including policymakers among the many, must collaborate to honor and protect Uganda’s invaluable genetic resources a heritage crucial for the nation’s survival and prosperity.
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