FRA and partner CSO calls for urgent action to enhance protection against unsafe food

Food Rights Alliance and partner Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in a bold move to promote sustainable access and consumption of safe, healthy and nutritious diets convened a virtual press conference with key stakeholders to mark World Food Safety Day with a call to government, private sector players to raise awareness and enhance strategies aimed at protecting Ugandans against unsafe food.  

During a press conference held on 7th June 2026, CSOs urged government to review the food and drug act to develop a comprehensive food safety law, establish a functional a food and agriculture regulatory authority among others.

CSOs called upon the Government of Uganda to; “establish a functional Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority, review the Food and Drugs Act and develop a comprehensive food-safety law, remove banned and highly hazardous pesticides from the market, strengthen border, market and agrochemical surveillance, expand affordable food-testing services across the country, make Aflasafe affordable and accessible to farmers, improve food storage, drying, transport and post-harvest systems, strengthen monitoring of pesticide residues, drug residues, aflatoxins and microbial contamination”

The private sector players were urged to comply with food-safety standards and prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers, while Consumers were also encouraged to demand information, report unsafe food and practice safe food handling and preparation.

The Executive Director of FRA Ms. Agnes Kirabo said that “Food safety is not just a health issue. It is a national security issue. It is about peace, stability, and public confidence. We call on the incoming government to fast-track the establishment of a National Food Safety Authority and urgently strengthen Uganda’s food system”

She said that expanding food testing should be a national priority.

“ Personally, I continue to wonder why pregnancy testing kits are readily available, affordable, and accessible in almost every pharmacy and retail outlet, yet food safety testing kits remain scarce and out of reach” she said.

An estimated 1.3 million people suffer from foodborne illnesses every year, placing a heavy burden on families and the health system. Uganda must urgently strengthen food regulation, testing and enforcement to protect.