Newslex Point News in Uganda, Uganda news
In a bid to fight fake Agro chemicals in the market, Bukoola Chemical Industries has unveiled new public campaign against fake Agro-chemicals.
Dr. Paul Mawanda Kyabaggu, Managing Director Bukoola Chemical Industries Ltd together with Fred Muwema, Director Legal at Anti Counterfeit Network officially launched “Protect Life…Twefeeko” campaign against agro-chemical counterfeit products in the market.
Mawanda says the campaign Protect aims at creating awareness about fake agro-chemical inputs in the market to manage and guarantee quality of stock, food security and health of the public.
According to him,Pesticide world market is worth approximately $45 billion compared to the African market that is reported to range between $1.5 to 2 billion, largely affecting farmers, exporters and the general public’s health.
“Most national associations in Africa report about 15 -20 % of their markets as being affected by illegal pesticides on the market while others suggest 40 – 80%. Egypt, West Africa, Uganda, Tanzania have been reported to be the hot spots for a thriving illegal pesticide market. This affects Farmers as it leads to loss and damage of crops making poor farmers poorer, high toxicity levels in the foods grown and Environmental issues. It is therefore vital that we tackle this issue head on to save our livelihoods and lives, ”Mawanda said.
He urged industry stakeholders to become more vigilant in purchasing, inspection and litigation of criminals attached to counterfeit pesticides.
“As farmers, there is need for more vigilance when purchasing the pesticides. Pay close attention to the quality markers and make sure you buy from trusted suppliers and report criminals to the authorities as soon as possible. Dealers also need to desist from the vice, ensure to source from official distributors, report criminals as well and check all received consignment for tamper proof. Government also needs to strengthen its surveillance, inspection and enforcement of the law against these criminals to fight the vice,” he said.
Bukoola Chemical Industries will be working in close partnership with the Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN) to create awareness about illegal vs genuine pesticides across the country through various communication efforts.
ACN Director legal- Fred Muwema advised Agro dealers and the private sector to support the fight against counterfeits.
“No one can survive without eating food. By this I don’t mean any food. It is very important that we have safe food on the market. Unfortunately, counterfeit agro-inputs like herbicides and pesticides are poisoning our food and making it unsafe. It is the duty of every consumer to join this fight to ensure our collective health and survival, ” Muwema noted.
Muwema however said that ACN shall commence legal enforcement measures to prosecute culprits who shall be found to engage in counterfeiting of Bukoola products after expiry of 90 days grace period which begins today.
This campaign comes on hand Uganda bureau of standards prepares to enforce new law to fight fake solar products in the market.
According to winnie Onziru Unbs standards officer in charge of electricals 70% of solar products are substandard hence the standards body is enforcing new standards to save the market and consumers from making loses.
Check also;
- Julius Kyazze To Be Sued Over Making Fake Sanitizers
- Fake Letters To Media Houses Raise Heads In NUP Camp
- Police Approves New Technology To Capture Fake Car Stickers
Please use the button below to contribute to Newslex Point, Inc. using a credit card or via PayPal.
![[dropcap]A[/dropcap] section of women in Bugongo parish and Nawangaiza parish in Nawandala Sub County, Iganga District have decried the near-impossible terms set for them to access GROW funds. They have now petitioned their woman member of parliament for Iganga Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to ask the government for revised terms and conditions. This is to enable them to benefit from the program. The disgruntled women accuse the implementers of the program of charging the money. They are also asking for their land titles and land agreements. They said that such properties are governed by their husbands. These, therefore want the government through their woman MP to intervene and revise the requirements for one to benefit. The women were on Wednesday at Namabwere primary school in Nawandala Sub County. They had gathered in their respective groups to receive over 300 chickens from Hon Alibaawo in her campaign to improve the livelihood of women in Iganga district. Each group was given 50 chicken as start-up capital in their journey to prosperity. Read what some leaders said; Ms Naigambi Lydia from Nawandala Trading Centre says, “They solicited money from us through opening bank accounts and depositing Shs80,000. They also asked for land titles and land agreements from us yet we don’t have such things. I was informed that I needed to have a business with a capital of Shs4m yet my capital was very small.” The chairperson Kisoboka Saving Group in Nawandala Ms. Nakagolo Faith said they were not able to join the program. This is given the many conditions attached. She also asked their woman MP to raise their concerns to the relevant offices. The MP condemned the mode of implementation of the program. She cited that it has turned to benefit the well-off class of women other than the intended group. She further asked the government to intervene saying the current strings attached to the programme are very tight to accommodate a common woman. GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This is especially those who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs. Check Also; Iganga District NRM Leaders Urge Museveni To Fulfill Election Promises Of 2021 International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress Towards Equality](https://i0.wp.com/newslexpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Iganga-women-decry-tough-terms-to-access-GROW-funds-e1731738339732.jpg?resize=300%2C160&ssl=1)
