PM Nabbanja assures on biosafety law to guide mosquito gene modification

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Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has revealed that the Government of Uganda is working on a distinct biosafety law to regulate and advance biotechnology while protecting the environment. She made the remarks in the context of ongoing scientific studies aimed at genetically modifying mosquitoes as an advanced method of combating the persistent scourge of malaria.

According to Nabbanja, malaria continues to place a heavy burden on the East African region, undermining health systems, livelihoods, and development ambitions.

"As we face rising challenges such as insecticide resistance, invasive species and climate-driven shifts in disease patterns, it is clear that conventional tools alone will not suffice," Nabbanja argued. She added that the Government of Uganda remains committed to advancing responsible biotechnology as part of its broader public health and development agenda.

"Through our national biosafety framework, we continue to strengthen regulatory capacity by promoting scientific research and ensuring that innovation is guided by evidence, safety and public trust," she stated. Nabbanja was speaking on August 12, 2025, at the opening of a three-day scientific workshop at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.

The strategic East Africa regional engagement on biosafety and environmental regulation attracted representatives from all eight East African member states. The meeting aims, among other objectives, to advance cross-border dialogue on research, regulation, and public appreciation of genetically modified mosquitoes for malaria control and elimination.

"No country can manage transboundary risks in isolation because mosquitoes know no boundaries. We must therefore collaborate and align policies to strengthen oversight and build public confidence in the new technologies," Nabbanja added.

Dr Samuel Opio, the Member of Parliament for Kole North Constituency and deputy chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, explained that biosafety is becoming an emerging area of concern affecting both human and environmental health.

"For example, whereas a mosquito may be seen as a cause of malaria, there are also other organisms that thrive in the presence of mosquitoes. So, for us to maintain that ecosystem, we need to make sure that new technologies do not cause a negative effect on our biological organisms," Opio said.

He further explained that the proposed law also aims to provide a framework and guidelines for the release of genetically modified mosquitoes when the time comes.

The legislator noted that the impending district biosafety law intends to ensure that biotechnologies are contained within specific environments where they are intended to operate, without spreading to surrounding districts.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Kayondo, the principal investigator of the gene drive study, said it will take several more years before the modified mosquitoes are released because research is still ongoing. "The research on genetically modified mosquitoes has been going on for the past five years and is still ongoing," he remarked.

Dr Micheal Katende, the principal health officer under the East African Health Research Commission, said the three-day engagement seeks to ensure collaboration among the eight East African countries and to create a shared benchmark in adopting biotechnology. "We also come in to support capacity building among the member states so that they move at the same pace," he stated.

The workshop is sponsored by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA). Dr Wiltshire Nicolai, the Programme Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD, said the event also provides an opportunity for knowledge-sharing, enabling scientists, regulators, and policymakers to be updated on developments in research and the use of genetically modified technology for the elimination of malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

"Different countries have different requirements, and in order for African member states to benefit ultimately from some of these technologies, it's imperative that they have harmonised regulatory requirements," he urged.

Dr Daniel Kyabayenze, speaking on behalf of health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, noted that Uganda ranks third globally in the number of malaria cases and tenth in malaria-related deaths. According to minister Aceng, the country registered 12 million malaria cases in 2023 and nearly 10,000 deaths in the same year. She attributed this to favourable weather conditions for mosquito breeding and growing resistance to pesticides.

Statistics show that malaria remains Africa’s greatest health burden, with 241 million cases and 600,000 deaths recorded annually. Despite significant investments over the years, the disease costs the African continent more than $10 billion annually in economic losses and expenditure on prevention and treatment.