MPs and members of Food Right Alliance during the meeting on GMOs at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Tuesday. PHOTO BY STEPHEN WANDERA
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The day Uganda Scientists exposed their hypocrisy and naivety about globalization and the GMOs in Uganda: Academics, activists clash over GMO bill
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NRM caucus convenes to debate GMO Bill
By Isaac Imaka & Mercy Nalugo
Posted
Monday, November 25
2013 at
09:44
National Resistance Movement legislators will Monday discuss
the controversial National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012, a
piece of legislation seen as intended to promote the use of genetically
modified foods.
In a caucus meeting, which is
expected to be presided over by President Museveni, the MPs will debate
the Bill and form a common position which they would support when the
draft legislation returns to the floor of the House.
“It is going to be one of the
first important consultative meetings to discuss that subject matter and
we expect a very candid, honest and heated debate,” Mr David Bahati,
the caucus deputy chairperson, said.
He added: “It is a very
important piece of legislation because we have so many GMOs that are
unregulated. We have many health fears and at the same time, there is a
problem of crop disease like banana wilt and lack of seedlings. So, this
discussion is crucial to find a way forward that will address the
issues on the two sides of the coin.”
The National Biotechnology and
Biosafety Bill, 2012 was tabled in the House by the chairperson of the
Committee on Science and Technology, Mr Denis Hamson Obua as a private
members bill.
The Bill’s object is to provide
for development and general release of Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs) in Uganda and to create a regulatory framework to facilitate safe
development and application of biotechnology.
Ever since it was tabled, the
Bill has attracted a heated debate with its proponents pushing to have
it passed hastily to facilitate research on genetically-engineered crops
in a bid to improve agricultural productivity, food security and
nutrition and those against it questioning its rationale.
However, Mr Bahati says: “We
will have scientists from different government organs to make
appropriate presentations so that our national leaders can make
decisions based on information and knowledge.”
Busiiro East legislator, Mr
Medard Ssegona (DP), says the Bill is controversial and supported by
implausible arguments from government.
“My people (constituents) are
opposed to it. Government tells us it is going to fight hunger but the
problem is not that Uganda does not have food. It is that government is
not organised in terms of food security. The issue is not GMOs but being
organised in food storage and security,” he said.
He added: “It requires a bigger
scientific study on how it is going to affect the crop variety in Uganda
especially the indigenous plant variety and how they are going to
affect the sales. It is not something we must wash over.”
Forum for Democratic Change
general secretary and Serere Woman MP, Ms Alice Alaso also call for wide
consultations so that the MPs can appreciate the dangers of GMOs and
appreciate the advantages of the Bill.
“Without addressing the concerns
of the possible effects of GMOs, this Bill might be a hurried piece
that will not benefit Ugandans,” she says. “NRM needs to be very
objective and inquisitive and not be driven by orders from above. They
should put Ugandans first.”
