Uganda has launched a new digital surveillance initiative to improve early detection of crop pests, a move aimed at protecting the country’s agriculture and safeguarding its export markets.
The program is part of the Africa Phytosanitary Program, supported by the International Plant Protection Convention and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. It is designed to strengthen pest surveillance and reporting systems across Africa.
The initiative kicked off today with a five-day training for crop inspectors and researchers who are learning how to use modern digital tools to detect and report pests more effectively.
Paul Mwambu, the Commissioner for Crop Inspection and Certification and Head of Uganda’s National Plant Protection Organisation, said the program reflects Uganda’s growing commitment to tackling pest and disease threats that endanger agriculture, livelihoods, and trade.
He noted that the country faces increasing pest challenges due to climate change, international trade, and population movement. These challenges include plant-drying bacteria, tomato-wrinkling virus, wood-boring and palm tree beetles, tiny leaf-sucking insects, banana-stunting virus, and the spotted fruit fly.
Mwambu said using digital tools will improve Uganda’s ability to prepare for and respond to pest outbreaks, helping the country ensure its agricultural exports remain safe for international markets.
Over the past two years, the National Plant Protection Organisation has been using digital tools to monitor a dangerous plant-drying bacteria known as Xylella fastidiosa, which threatens Uganda’s cut flower exports to Europe. This digital surveillance has helped the country maintain access to key export markets.
Mwambu added that the current training aims to strengthen pest surveillance capacity by equipping inspectors with practical digital reporting skills and standard survey guidelines. He said the focus this week includes field exercises using digital tools to monitor the Red Palm Weevil, a pest that threatens Uganda’s vital oil palm industry.
Joab Tugume, Uganda’s focal person for the International Plant Protection Convention, said early detection of pests is key to preventing their spread. He explained that identifying a pest early makes it easier and cheaper to manage before it causes widespread damage.
Tugume said in an interview that the Red Palm Weevil was selected as a priority for this training because of its economic importance to Kalangala, where oil palm is the main crop and an essential industrial raw material.
He also revealed that digital surveillance for Xylella fastidiosa in the flower industry will now be conducted quarterly instead of annually, as required by the European Union for continued market access. He said quarterly monitoring will ensure timely reporting and help Uganda avoid crises while keeping pest data continuously updated.
Arop Deng, the technical lead for the Africa Phytosanitary Program, praised Uganda for leading the way in digital pest surveillance under the program’s framework. He said Uganda was the first country to conduct a national pest survey using the APP’s digital tools during the 2023 Xylella fastidiosa monitoring exercise. Since then, the country has received additional equipment and training to expand its surveillance capacity.
Deng added that Uganda’s commitment to digital pest monitoring strengthens its ability to meet international plant health standards and makes it a model for other African countries. He said adopting these innovations will help Uganda protect its crops, ensure safe trade, and maintain its reputation as a reliable agricultural exporter.