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Uganda
okays GMOs
It
sets pace for other regional countries
Former US envoy to the UN Andrew
Young graced the launch of the Monsanto - Kenya Agricultural
Research Institute GM Sweet Potato project in the year
2000. He is seen here being welcomed to KARI Headquarters
by Director, Dr. Romano Kiome (Centre) and former Kenya’s
Agriculture Permanent Secretary Prof. Migot Adhola.
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By Susan Mabonga
THE
Government of Uganda has approved importation of Genetically
Modified foods, in a move likely to open up the entire Common
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa for biotech foods.
Announcing
the approval, the acting Director General of Uganda’s
National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Dr G. M.
Otim Nape, said, “GM maize and other GM food products
may be safe for human consumption and Uganda shall not refuse
them.”
Dr Nape, however, warned that the foods be used strictly for
human consumption and not for planting. The approval is the
strongest signal yet that the agriculturally rich East African
country is determined to embrace the emerging science of biotechnology.
Top of the list of GM products that are likely to be imported
into Uganda as a result of this announcement include milled
gene-altered maize, soybean, potatoes, rice, and tomatoes.
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