Cultural leaders reject GMOs
Nov 30, 2014
The cultural leaders of various Kingdoms in the country have denounced genetically modified organisms (GMOs) saying they’re going to cause infertility among their subjects and harm the environment.
By Francis Emorut
The cultural leaders of various Kingdoms in the country have denounced genetically modified organisms (GMOs) saying they’re going to cause infertility among their subjects and harm the environment.
Dr. Richard Nam, the prime minister of Tekwaro Lango, observed that urban women dwellers fertility rate is lowering compared to the village women due to consumption of GMOs.
“Urban women are beginning to get lower fertility rates than the village ones, why?” he asked and answered the question because they are feeding on GMOs.
Uganda is one of the countries with the highest fertility rate at 3% that is 6.7 children per woman.
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A cross-section of cultural leaders voting to form cultural industrial centre during the Kings and cultural leaders meeting at Glory Summit Hotel in Hoima district. PHOTO/Francis Emorut
Dr. Nam who is also a senior consultant in obstetrics and gynecology warned the young people not to consume GMOs because they will fail to erect.
“Young men you are in trouble if you consume GMOs you will fail to erect,” he advised.
Nam was speaking during the meeting of Kings and cultural leaders at Glory Summit Hotel in Hoima district.
The meeting was organized by Caritus Uganda in partnership with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and civil society organizations under the theme: “Kings and Cultural Leaders: A strong Voice for Socioeconomic Development in Uganda.”
The interface was aimed at enhancing the capacity of different stakeholders to further understand Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill 2012 and to help cultural leaders appreciate the impact of GMOs to agriculture, health, environment and the livelihoods of the people.
Okin Ojara, the prime minister of Acholi cultural institution pointed out that there is need to seek approval from cultural leaders when new seeds are introduced in the area.
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Some of the cultural leaders pose for a group photograph during the Kings and cultural leaders meeting at Glory Summit Hotel in Hoima district. PHOTO/Francis Emorut
Juma Munulo, a chief prince of Busoga Kingdom informed the audience that recently he purchased high breed seeds of maize from Kenya and planted it in five acres but the seeds failed germinate.
“It is very sad. Is it NARO, NAADS and Parliament pushing the agenda of GMOs,”Munulo asked.
Thomas Okoth-Nyalulu the acting prime minister of Tieng Adhola Kingdom castigated Parliament and some scientists for accepting to be exploited by multinational to push the agenda of GMOs.
The cultural leaders who hailed from Busoga, Buganda, Kooki, Ankole, Lango, Acholi, Bunyoro, Buruli, Teso, Bamasaba, Tieng-Adhola and Karamoja appreciated government’s efforts for laws and policies which enhance sustainable production and productivity in agriculture sector in the country.
However, in their communiqué the cultural leaders agreed to reject GMOs.
“We are concerned about the current Biosafety and Biotechnology Bill 2012 which is intended to introduce GMOs with direct impact on our cultural rights, environment and health and food security. We therefore, oppose it,” they said.
The cultural leaders also resolved to form a cultural industrial centre which according to Dr. Kihura Nkuba will cost sh500m for sustainable development of cultural institutions in the country
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