Campaign launched to rid markets of pesticide-laced tomatoes
Explaining the dangers of pesticides, Mwanja said that while pesticides can protect crops against pest attacks and prevent disease, poor handling can have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
The campaign will be implemented jointly with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Masaka City. (Photo by Prossy Nandudu)
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The Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), has launched a campaign to promote the safe use of pesticides among market vendors, particularly those selling tomatoes.
The campaign will be implemented jointly with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Masaka City.
Launched on November 4, 2026, at Hotel Africana, the campaign will involve sensitising market vendors about the dangers of applying chemicals to tomatoes and their effects on human health, the environment and sales.
The campaign, dubbed ‘Yoza bulungi, Olye bulungi obeere n’obulamu obulungi’, will initially be piloted in 10 major markets in and around Kampala and four markets in Masaka city.
Explaining the dangers of pesticides, John Mwanja, the assistant commissioner in charge of agrochemicals at MAAIF, said that while pesticides can protect crops against pest attacks and prevent disease, poor handling can have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
He said pesticides had been associated with diseases such as cancer and skin conditions. In the environment, he said, they pollute ecosystems and make it difficult for insects such as bees, wasps and other pollinators to survive.
Commenting on the effects of pesticide misuse on soil, Mwanja said the chemicals kill earthworms, which create pathways in the soil that prevent compaction and allow it to absorb beneficial substances such as water and organic manure.
Officiating at the launch as chief guest, Dr Henry Kaula, the manager of health inspection, education and sanitation at KCCA, said that, according to the Directorate of Public Health and Environment, one in nine people worldwide suffer from food-related diseases linked to pesticides, while 866 million people fall ill globally due to contaminated food.
Christine Alokit, a communications and extension scientist at CABI, said the campaign would initially target tomatoes, but its message would apply to all food items.
“The campaign will help change the mindset of traders and all farmers that additional pesticides on harvested food items doesn’t necessarily prolong the shelf life; instead, it affects human health,” Alokit said.
Adding that they will be visiting markets with printed and televised messages to show traders proper use of agrochemicals in food items, including proper post-harvest handling methods coupled with good farming practices that reduce the usage of agrochemicals.
Dr Monica Kansiime, CABI's regional director for Africa, said knowledge empowers people to make safer decisions throughout the food system.
“Through this campaign, we aim to equip farmers, traders, consumers and other stakeholders with the information they need to reduce pesticide-related risks and adopt safer practices. By strengthening food safety awareness and encouraging responsible handling of produce, we can increase confidence in Ugandan agricultural products, protect public health, and support both local and export markets."