In a decisive move to strengthen agricultural biosecurity and preparedness, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) is leading efforts to create a Pest Risk Register aimed at protecting the country’s crops from invasive pests.
This work is being led by the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification (DCIC), with technical support from CABI under the PlantwisePlus programme. To guide the register’s development, a three-day workshop was held from 8–10 April 2025, bringing together agricultural experts, researchers, and government officials.
Participants reviewed findings from a recent horizon scan pest assessment, discussed data needs for the register, and proposed forming a Pest Risk Register Working Group to keep the register regularly updated with new pest information.
This initiative follows a detailed pest assessment exercise that reviewed thousands of pest threats capable of entering the country and causing crop losses. With global trade and the movement of agricultural goods and people on the rise, the risk of pest introduction into Uganda is increasing.
Between 1990 and 2021, several harmful pests made their way into the country, affecting key crops such as bananas, coffee, and maize. Notable examples include the Coffee Twig Borer (CTB), Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD), and Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW), all of which have had major economic and social impacts.
Under the Plant Protection and Health Act (2016) and the International Plant Protection Convention, MAAIF is mandated to monitor and manage pest invasions. The law allows the Minister to declare quarantine pests, set designated points of entry for agricultural imports, and coordinate emergency pest control actions.
According to Dr Joab Tugume, Senior Agricultural Inspector in charge of quarantine at the ministry, a major assessment of exotic pests was carried out in March 2024 using CABI’s Horizon Scanning Tool. Pests were evaluated based on their likelihood of entering Uganda, becoming established, and their potential impact on the economy, biodiversity, and society.
The assessment identified over 9,000 pests not currently present in Uganda but posing a threat. Of these, 1,517 were flagged as invasive and dangerous to biodiversity if they enter the country. The study further highlighted 618 pests that require urgent attention. This assessment now forms the basis of Uganda’s Pest Risk Register.
The Pest Risk Register will help the Ministry monitor and track high-risk pests, prioritise control measures, and support policymaking and emergency responses with reliable evidence. Its development marks a major step forward for Uganda’s agriculture sector by combining science, policy, and technology to guard against exotic pests.
Through collaboration among government bodies, researchers, and international partners, Uganda has taken firm steps towards building a strong and responsive pest management system that can protect crops and secure farmers’ livelihoods.
