5TH ANNUAL
National Biosafety Forum

Uganda actively participated in the negotiation and subsequently ratified the Cartagena protocol on Biosafety in 2001. The country took further steps to provide for the obligations of the Cartagena protocol. An interim biosafety system to regulate modern biotechnology research and development has been adopted in the absence of holistic legislation. Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) was designated the Competent National Authority that provides regulatory oversight for genetic engineering research and development initiatives. The UNCST Act, 1990 gives it mandate to clear all scientific research and development activities in the country.The Council has considered and approved more than seventeen (17)confined field experiments of genetically modified crop events following technical recommendations from the National Biosafety Committee (NBC). These crops include cotton, maize, cassava, banana, sweet potato, potato, soyabean and rice. The experiments are conducted within the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)’s institutes, which are also the primary applicants. The sites for the experiments are located in Serere, Kasese, Kabale, Wakiso (Kawanda and Namulonge) Mbarara and Hoima. These experiments are conducted in collaboration with a number of regional and international partners. Uganda is one of the most active countries in Africa with respect to field testing of GM crops.

The world has recently made advancement in medical biotechnology, which is a branch of medicine that uses living cells and cell materials to research and then produce pharmaceutical and diagnosing products. These products help treat and prevent diseases. From the Ebola vaccine to mapping human DNA to agricultural impacts, hormones, vaccines and other bio-engineered products such as the ALVAC-HIV vaccine COVID -19 vaccines. Medical biotechnology is making huge advancements and helping millions of people.Some of the most recent uses of biological technology is work in genetic testing, drug treatments, and artificial tissue growth. With the many advancements in medical biotechnology, there are new concerns that arise. From funding to ethics, there are many things to determine and regulate when it comes to this fast-paced industry. In Uganda, there are efforts to use biotechnology in health research. At the fore front of this landmark research efforts are scientists from Makerere University Medical School, Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and the Presidential Initiative on Epidemics.

The NBC also reviews establishment of Genetic Modification (GM) infrastructural centres and sites, and considers other GM activities including import of processed foods for purposes of food aid, transit of GM materials for research purposes only. TheUNCST through the NBC oversees the establishment of biosafety infrastructure in accordance with National Guidelines for Containment of Genetically Modified Organisms and Microbes, including laboratories and other facilities to ensure conformity with international biosafety, environmental and biosecurity standards.

• Provide a platform for regulatory agencies to share experiences and strategies for Science, Technology and Innovation, and Regulation for sustainable Industrialization in Uganda
• Linking biosafety and bioeconomy to national development.
• Understanding risk assessment considerations for emerging technologies.
• Understanding regulatory landscape in Uganda for the last 25 years with an appreciation of the role of a robust regulatory framework in advancing or promoting gains made in biotechnologies and innovations over the years.

• Increased appreciation of the new direction of Science, Technology and Innovation(STI) in Uganda.
• coordination among key regulatory agencies.
• Increased appreciation of the biosafety and biotechnology among policy leaders and regulators.
• Increased appreciation of Ugandan capacity to regulate gene technologies.

A total of two hundred (200) national and international participants are expected comprising representatives from regulatory agencies, research agencies, academia, policy leaders, communicators, and science-based civil society organizations.