Uganda moves to regulate veterinary and agricultural inputs with new Bill
The government has introduced a new Bill aimed at regulating the manufacture, distribution, importation, and supply of veterinary medicines, veterinary devices, agricultural chemicals, and application equipment. The Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority Bill, 2026, was tabled by the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, on 25th August 2026.
This proposed law, now under review by the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, seeks to tackle the rising problem of counterfeit and substandard veterinary and agricultural products in the country.
Key provisions and objectives
The Bill proposes the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority, which will oversee the quality and safety of veterinary and agricultural inputs on the market. It will also be responsible for licensing manufacturers and distributors of agricultural chemicals to ensure compliance with standards.
“There are high levels of medicines, chemical residues, and contaminants such as aflatoxins and heavy metals in our food. The existence of such substances compromises our health and safety, and greatly affects the integrity of our food exports,” the Bill states.
It further highlights that the continued presence of substandard and counterfeit veterinary and agricultural inputs has led to increased pest and disease incidences across the country.
Addressing regulatory gaps for better agricultural productivity
The Bill aims to resolve fragmented regulation across food, feeds, veterinary medicine, veterinary devices, equipment, and agricultural chemicals. Currently, multiple agencies regulate these sectors with overlapping roles, resulting in weak enforcement and inefficiencies.
According to the Bill, implementing this Act is expected to:
- Enhance clean agricultural productivity and trade
- Improve human, plant, and animal health, ensuring consumer safety and confidence
- Increase market access for Uganda’s agricultural exports to regional and global markets
- Boost incomes and profits for actors along the food value chain
- Strengthen consumer protection against counterfeit products
The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has referred the Bill to the Committee on Agriculture for further processing. As per Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure, the committee is mandated to review and report back to the House within 45 working days.
This regulatory move signals a significant step towards securing the quality and safety of Uganda’s agricultural inputs, ultimately supporting the country’s economic growth and public health.
