OFAB UGANDA CHAPTER 2013 REVIEW

1. OFAB UGANDA CHAPTER 2013 REVIEW OFAB 2014 Annual Review & Planning Meeting 22-26 April 2014 Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

2. OFAB Uganda Overview • The OFAB platform Uganda chapter is supported through a partnership between UNCST/GOU, AATF and PBS/IFPRI; launched in 2007 • OFAB-Uganda is implemented by UNCST in collaboration with PBS; among others (i.e SCIFODE, UBBC, NARO, ASUBED) • The partnership platform aims at strengthening inter-institutional networking, and sharing of credible, sound and factual biotechnology information, inline with OFAB overall objectives OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

3. Overview...... OFAB Uganda Programing Committee (PC) • Dr. Peter Ndemere(Chair/UNCST) • Mr. Robert Anguzu(Co-Chair/NARO) • Mr. Sunday Akile (Legal) • Mr. Kimera Henry Richard (CONSENT) • Mr. ChebetMaikut (UNFFE) • Dr. Barbara Zawedde (UBIC) • Ms. Connie Acayo (MAAIF) • Dr. Sengooba Theresa (PBS) • Mr. ErostusNsubuga (UBBC) • Mr. Arthur Makara (SCIFODE) • Mr. Daniel Otunge (AATF) • Ms. Ruth Mbabazi (UNCST) • Mr. Ronald Jjagwe (Coordination/UNCST) OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

4. OFAB Uganda 2013 Progress A total of 8 interactive events were held in 2013, including an international public forum, a conference, 4 PC meetings, special events and 4 OFAB Seminars (n<45 participants) under the following topics: • Ethical and Social Issues Associated with Genetically Modified Crops; • Status of Agricultural Biotechnology Application and its Regulation in Uganda; • Public Understanding and Perception of and AttitudeTowards modern Biotechnology; • Implementation of the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy 2008; OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

5. OFAB Uganda 2013 Progress • Special Events • Parliamentary Biotechnology Exhibition; • Parliamentary Seeing is believing tours to CFT facilities • Launch of ISAAA 2013 Global Report on Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops. • Media tracking • Uganda: 'GMOs, Traditional Foods Can Coexist‘ (http://allafrica.com/stories/201308210101.html) • Former critic of GM calls for adoption of technology (http://sunrise.ug/news/top-stories/5499-former-critic-of-gm-calls-for-adoption-of-technology) • East Africa: Farmers Urged to Adopt Biotech (http://allafrica.com/stories/201308121867.html) • Uganda: Regulation of Biotech and Application of GM Seeds (http://allafrica.com/stories/201309190890.html) OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

6. Participants during an OFAB Seminar OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

7. Impact: OFAB Goes to Young Scientists at Public Universities • The OFAB outreach programs were delivered at Busitema University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology on 23rd September and 18th October 2013 respectively. • Each of the programs was attended by over 50 participants among them; university science students, some staff and a few community leaders at both universities. • The programs aimed at developing interest among university science students about the importance, application and use of modern biotechnology. • At the end of the programs, many of the science students requested that biotechnology be introduced as an elective course in the university curriculum, and they also noted that they were considering venturing into biotechnology research in the near future. OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

8. Impact: The First Ever National Biosafety Conference Held • Uganda successfully held the 1st ever national biosafety conference from 29th - 31st July 2013 at the College of Food Science, Nutrition and Bio-engineering; MakerereUniversity. • The conference Improved Public Understanding and Perception towards Modern Biotechnology.The conference brought together over 100 participants among them; scholars, scientists, students, policy makers and the media at local, regional and international levels. • At the end of the conference, with help of a post Conference evaluation questionnaire, participants reported having gained sufficient knowledge and understanding of biotechnology science. OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

9. Impact: Increased Support to Biosafety Bill debate • The National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill is before Parliament of Uganda • Engaged various policy makers and stakeholders in the on going biosafety regulation debate • Held a biotechnology parliamentary exhibition • Took members of the Science & Technology Committee of Parliament to a seeing is believing tour to CFT and lab facilities at NaCRRI and NARL OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

10. RAVAGING CONSTRAINTS TO THE CROP SUBSECTOR

11. Xanthomonas Wilt Disease: Impact on plants • Xanthomonas Wilt Disease: Spread a) Insect vectors b) Infected planting materials c) Farming tools Tripathi et al. 2009, Plant Disease

12. Maize lines infested with stem borer • Non-biotech variety • Biotech generated variety

13. Field of biotechnology generated cassava, Namulonge, Uganda

14. Capacity for biotech research and regulation >200 Ugandan scientists are actively involved in biotech research --- leader in ECA region 15 institutions involved in research (e.g., NARO, Universities, UVRI, JCRC) 3 private sector institutions involved in ag-biotech business investments Equipment for all aspects of genomics and allied fields is available in the national labs Government adopted a National biotech and biosafety policy, 2008 Relevant MDAs have developed regulatory capacity in biosafety

15. BIOTECH CAPACITY AT NaCRRI • NaCRRI BSL II Sreenhouse • NaCRRI Molecular Biology Lab • NaCRRI Tissue Culture Lab

16. BIOTECH RESEARCH CAPACITY AT NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES – Opened by HE the President, 2003

17. Key OFAB Uganda Partnership Achievements • Enhanced attention to biotechnology issues and decision making • Enhanced networking for biotechnology and biosafety development • Exchange of ideas on biosafety focusing on the challenges of regulation of modern biotechnology in Uganda and Africa at large • Consolidated multi-sectoral information on biotechnology and biosafety issues OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

18. Implementation Approaches • Transform the current OFAB platform into more “open & factual” debate on issues of concern to the society • Cluster and identify champions for the different target groups • Intensify biotechnology application outreach – more thematic events, e.g. on specific crops, technologies, policy and legislative frameworks • Intensification of media engagement – orientation on technical, policy analysis and advocacy issues OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

19. Lessons Learnt • OFAB platforms can help bridge different groups with similar goals/objectives • While OFAB Uganda platform has made significant achievements, more work is needed to address gaps in the current stakeholder engagements and to address emerging issues OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

20. Challenges • Inadequate media uptake of key biotechnology issues • Negative attitude towards biotechnology products • No Ugandan biotech product • Low diversity of participants OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

21. Opportunities • Use of local radio stations in local languages to reach the grass roots • Existing research and quarantine laws such as Plant Protection Act; PhytosanitaryRegulations; Food and Drugs Act; Forest Protection Act; Environment Protection Act • Maximise existing political support/good will for biotech advocacy OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria

22. Political Support: First Private Sector Investment in Agro-biotechnology – Agro-Genetics Technologies

23. Thank You for Listening Acknowledgements OFAB Review & Planning Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria