The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries has initiated consultations with stakeholders to further enrich the Food and Agriculture Authority.

The Authority is being fronted by the government through the agriculture ministry to enforce standards and quality of food items.

This was revealed by animal husbandry state minister Bright Rwamirama on March 15, 2024, during the consultative sessions in Entebbe aimed at gathering content to be included in the principles of the Food and Agriculture Authority Bill.

“We are consulting widely as we build towards the full operationalization of the Food and Agriculture Authority. We are engaging health sector experts including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Trade, academia, and the private sector,” Rwamirama said.

He added that when ready, the authority will also help to harmonise government efforts towards ensuring the quality and safety of food and food-related products in the country.

In the same meeting that ended on Saturday, Dr Paul Mwambu, commissioner for crop inspection and certification in the agriculture ministry will help in streamlining international trade when it comes to food items through some of the requirements that will be put in place by the Authority.

"With the right quality of food, Uganda will compete better in the international market, grow existing markets and penetrate new markets," Mwambu said.

The proposal to have the Authority in place was approved by Cabinet in October 2023 with a mandate to deal with food-related matters, food security and food safety.