The use of chemicals in Uganda has been rapidly growing; many chemicals are today either locally manufactured or imported and stored in storage facilities in different parts of the country. This rapid growth has been unregulated and uncontrolled, and there is a lot of chemicals misuse and abuse.
An extensive array of chemical substances, which never existed in the environment are now abundant in the name of development.
Chemicals in Uganda are mostly used in the agriculture, health, energy and mining, water supply and sanitation sectors. The production of chemicals in Uganda is still minimal, and accounts for less than 2% of the total amount available within the country. This means that most of the chemicals used in Uganda are imported.
The most common chemicals are pesticides. Although Uganda does not export chemicals, it is used as a transit country to transport large quantities of chemicals to neighbouring countries. Uganda is experiencing difficulty in chemical management and safety.
For instance, chemical waste is always mixed with other waste and dumped in drainage or natural water sources. Data on chemical production, import and export is not comprehensive. It is vital that the problem of chemical management is urgently addressed.
