The President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, has asked Members of Uganda’s Parliament (MPs) to “modernize their thinking” towards new scientific innovations and technologies, including modern biotechnology. This statement was made during the World Food Day celebration at the National Agricultural Research Organization’s Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Rwebitaba, Kabarole district on October 16, 2015.
In his speech, H.E. Yoweri Museveni asked the Members of Parliament to approve passage of the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill so that scientists are allowed to release their research products to the farmers for testing. He directed that scientists should not be “frustrated” but rather allowed to innovate so that they contribute to fulfilling the national priorities including helping rural communities to become resilient to negative effects of climate change and to produce more food for their families and for the country.
During the celebration, the Uganda Bioscience Information Center (UBIC), together with biotech communication partners, demonstrated the relevance of using biotechnology to address some of the agricultural challenges faced by farmers in Uganda. The colorful showcase included use of tissue culture to provide farmers with disease-free planting materials for banana, cassava, coffee, and pineapple; use of GM technology to address crop diseases for banana and cassava; and use of GM technology to address climate change issues including drought in maize. The President visited the exhibit and was impressed by the work being done by Ugandan scientists and pledged government support to modernize agriculture.