Justine Kasule Lumumba
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority to strengthen oversight of food safety, veterinary medicines and agricultural inputs, while also approving the appointment of members to the National Building Review Board as part of efforts to enhance building safety and standards across the country.
The decisions were announced by Justine Kasule Lumumba, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, following the Cabinet meeting held on Monday at State House, Entebbe.
Lumumba said Cabinet approved the Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority Bill, 2026, which seeks to streamline regulation within Uganda’s food and agricultural sector by creating a single authority to oversee areas that are currently regulated by different institutions.
“Cabinet approved the Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority Bill, 2026,” Lumumba said. “The regulatory responsibility has been shared between the National Drug Authority and UNBS. The new Bill proposes to address that.”
According to Lumumba, the proposed law will provide a comprehensive framework for regulating veterinary medicines, veterinary devices, vaccines, veterinary cosmetics, laboratory supplies and reagents, agricultural chemicals, food and animal feeds in Uganda.
She explained that the reforms are intended to strengthen consumer protection while supporting agricultural production and exports.
“The Bill will provide for the regulation of veterinary medicines (veterinary medicines, devices, vaccines, veterinary cosmetics, laboratory supplies, and reagents), agricultural chemicals, food and feeds in Uganda,” Lumumba said.
Strengthen food production chain
The minister said the legislation is expected to improve safety across the food production chain if enacted by Parliament.
“We expect that if it becomes law, it will ensure that the food and feeds produced and imported as well as plants and the environment are safe, while agricultural and veterinary inputs on the market are of the right quality, safe and serve the intended purposes,” Lumumba stated.
She added that the proposed authority will help Uganda comply with regional and international market standards, thereby improving the country’s competitiveness in agricultural trade.
According to Lumumba, the anticipated outcomes include improved human, plant and animal health, increased consumer confidence, expanded access to regional and international export markets, higher incomes for actors along the agricultural value chain, enhanced protection against counterfeit products and stronger national food systems.
“The expected outcomes of the Bill include improved human, plant and animal health leading to consumer safety and confidence, increased market access and competitiveness of Uganda’s agricultural exports to regional and global markets, increased incomes and profits for food value chain actors and Government, enhanced consumer protection against counterfeits, and strengthened food systems and contribution to global health,” she said.
Members of new board appointed
In another key decision, Cabinet approved the appointment of members to the Governing Board of the National Building Review Board, established under the Building Control Act.
Lumumba said the Board is mandated to regulate and coordinate building control activities throughout Uganda, with a central focus on ensuring compliance with national building safety standards.
“The National Building Review Board is meant to regulate and coordinate building control activities in Uganda. Their role is to oversee safety standards across the country,” she said.
The newly approved board will be chaired by Engineer Andrew Kitaka. Other members are RSU Irene Kitara, Architect Henry Kigundu, PP Irene Achola, Benon Yiga, Engineer Chris Opuch, Richard Adrole and Engineer Betty Nabbosa.
Beyond the two major approvals, Lumumba also briefed the media on other matters considered by Cabinet.
560 Ugandans evacuated from South Africa
She said Cabinet noted that 560 Ugandan citizens had been evacuated from South Africa following escalating xenophobic violence, adding that efforts are continuing to facilitate the return of more Ugandans willing to come home.
The minister further announced activities to mark International Swahili Day, including the launch of Dawati la Kiswahili at the Uganda Media Centre to promote the adoption of Kiswahili, as well as the launch of the Sauti Ya Uganda National Anthem competition.
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