Ugandan Parliament Passes Resolution on Agricultural Sector Reforms

The Parliament of Uganda has passed a resolution aimed at implementing significant reforms in the country's agricultural sector. The resolution seeks to address long-standing challenges faced by farmers and modernize the sector to improve productivity, market access, and competitiveness.

Key aspects of the resolution include policies and programs to enhance farmers' access to inputs, technology, and infrastructure.

It also emphasizes the need to address issues related to land tenure, access to credit, and the impact of climate change on agriculture. "The passage of this resolution is viewed as an important step towards improving the performance and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Uganda," according to the resolution text.

As part of the reforms, Parliament has also passed a resolution to transfer the Agricultural Chemicals Control Board, transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture for better management. The board, established in 2007 to regulate agricultural inputs, was found to have failed in controlling the growing presence of fake and adulterated agro-inputs on the market. "The transfer is anticipated to facilitate more effective delivery of services, as the board seems to be redundant," the Agriculture Committee noted.

In another development, the Parliament passed the Uganda Trypanosomiasis Repeal Bill 2024, which will dissolve the Trypanosomiasis Control Council and transfer its functions to the agriculture ministry. The move aims to relieve the government of the financial burden and wasteful administration associated with maintaining the council, whose functions are already largely being performed by the ministry.

The Trypanosomiasis Control Council, created 32 years ago to formulate policies and conduct research on tsetse fly and sleeping sickness, had 18 staff and a wage bill of 850 million Ugandan shillings in the 2022-2023 financial year. While the council successfully eliminated human sleeping sickness from Uganda, lawmakers argued that transferring its staff and responsibilities to the ministry would save resources and avoid redundancy.

Why this matters: The agricultural sector is a vital pillar of Uganda's economy, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing to food security and export earnings. The reforms passed by Parliament have the potential to transform the sector, improve the livelihoods of farmers, and boost the country's overall economic growth.

Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi argued that giving the agriculture ministry more time to absorb the Trypanosomiasis Control Council would defeat the purpose of the rationalization bill, as the government is trying to save money by eliminating a redundant organization. "The law will come into effect on a date deemed appropriate by the agriculture minister," Kafuuzi stated, addressing concerns raised by some lawmakers about potential delays in service delivery during the transition.

Key Takeaways

• Uganda Parliament passes resolution to reform agricultural sector
• Policies to enhance farmer access to inputs, tech, and infrastructure
• Agricultural Chemicals Control Board transferred to Agriculture Ministry
• Trypanosomiasis Control Council dissolved, functions transferred to Ministry
• Reforms aim to improve productivity, market access, and competitiveness