Experts Back Museveni’s Ban on Toxic Groundnuts

Denis Tibaijuka senior Agricultural Officer

Advocates for proper nutrition have applauded President of the republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s proposal to ban contaminated and substandard groundnuts from the Ugandan market, calling it a crucial step in fighting nutrition-related diseases, including cancer.

In his national address on Saturday, President Museveni announced plans to issue a directive prohibiting the sale of low-quality groundnuts, citing expert findings that link aflatoxins—dangerous toxins formed due to poor farming, storage, and transportation—to rising cases of life-threatening illnesses in Uganda.

Denis Tibaijuka a Senior Agricultural Officer at Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme (URDT), welcomed the move, emphasizing the urgent need for swift implementation to reduce hospital admissions linked to aflatoxin poisoning.

Tibaijuka explained that aflatoxins often originate from contaminated soil, poor storage, and the use of substandard processing equipment.

He stressed the need to train farmers and traders on best practices to minimize contamination and ensure food safety.

Additionally, he urged Ugandans to embrace homegrown food production as a way to guarantee quality and safety.

He also advised consumers to buy from reputable sources, avoid over-roasting groundnuts, and store them properly to prevent toxin buildup.

As the government moves forward with the ban, experts are calling for increased awareness, stricter regulations, and farmer education to ensure its success.

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