Mbale farmers protest against GMOs
Farmers demonstrate against GMOs in Mbale Town recently. File photo
What you need to know:
Farmers in Mbale take to the streets saying if MPs approve the Bill they will face the wrath of voters.
Mbale- Farmers in eastern Uganda have joined civil society groups in protest against the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.
In a demonstration on Thursday, protesters said the GMOs and the Bio-Safety Technology Bill, which is before Parliament, will lead to legalising the use of the GMOs.
The farmers carried placards with words denouncing GMOs inscribed on them: “We don’t need GMOs in Uganda”, “Do not damage famers’ livelihoods”, and “GMOs will cost you votes.”
More than 600 farmers from different districts in the Mt Elgon region protested in Mbale Town.
Ms Esther Ofwono, the chairperson of Uganda Voice Farmers Platform, eastern region, said there was no risk assessment carried out to ascertain the effect of GMOs to humans and soil.
She appealed to Parliament to withdraw the Bill, calling it “anti-farmers”. She added that they have collected signatures from farmers to petition the Speaker of Parliament over the bill.
According to the farmers, GMOs cause health complications such as obesity and impotence.
