On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Mountains of the Moon University (MMU), in partnership with regional and national agroecology stakeholders, joined the launch of a national campaign against the importation of toxic and hazardous agricultural chemical pesticides banned by the European Union (EU). The high-impact event, also saw the official unveiling of the Agroecology Model Village (AMV) Approach and an exhibition of agroecological products in Rugarama Village, Nyabani Subcounty, Kitagwenda District.
Organized by Community Sustainable Initiatives Link (COSIL) Uganda and Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda, the launch convened district and subcounty leaders, agricultural officers, community development officers, veterinary officers, farmers, civil society actors, and academia. Among the participants were key members of the Rwenzori Agroecology Actors Platform (RAAP), including MMU, Joint Effort to Save the Environment (JESE), and Tripple F Agroecology Resource Center.
The initiative aims to petition both the Government of Uganda and the EU to permanently ban the production, export, and import of toxic pesticides into Uganda and Africa. Stakeholders signed commitment sheets and pledged joint advocacy to eliminate harmful agrochemicals such as Glyphosate and Chlorpyrifos, which remain in use despite their EU ban.
“Africa is not a dumping place for banned European toxic products,” participants declared in a unified call for action.
MMU was conspicuously represented by Mr. Clovis Kabaseke, Chairperson of RAAP and a lecturer at the university, who urged collective responsibility across government, academia, and civil society.
The event was part of the Sustainable Resilience and Productive Family Farms for Diversified Income project, implemented by COSIL Uganda in partnership with PELUM Uganda, with support from BD Consortium. This initiative has mobilized agroecology actors at both village and regional levels, strengthened evidence-based advocacy, and promoted inclusive family farming by incorporating the voices of all household members.
Students from Mountains of the Moon University also actively participated in the exhibition segment of the event, showcasing innovative agroecological products such as rabbit urine–based biofertilizers, Malabar spinach, and chestnuts, reflecting the university’s commitment to applied learning and sustainable agriculture.
The Chief Guest, Sir George Samuel Sunday, Commissioner in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (Organic Agriculture and Agroecology Department), extolled the initiative and assured farmers of continued government support.
Mountains of the Moon University remains committed to playing an active role in promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community-driven development across the region.
Written by: Niwamanya Joab