Ugandan scientist harassed over anti GMO sentiments

By Charles Kazooba

A renowned anti-GMO Ugandan scientist claims he has been threatened with sacking from his post at Makerere University in Uganda.

A very controversial critic of Genetically Modified Organisms technology, Dr Giregon Olupot from the department of Agricultural production Makerere University, known for opposing Uganda’s draft law on biotechnology claiming it doesn’t favour farmers, claims Uganda National Biotechnology and Biosafety Consortium, which advocates for proper use of biotechnology, is witch-hunting him.

Many pro-GMO Bill accuse the scientist claiming that those who drafted the bill were compromised by foreign forces who allegedly have interest in introducing genetically modified organisms in Uganda.

“I am under a lot of pressure because of my (radical) views. I have been warned not to talk about this subject (GMOs) anymore unless permitted,” Dr Olupot told legislators on the committee of the East African Legislative Assembly on Agriculture Tourism and Natural Resources.

The Uganda National Biotechnology and Biosafety Consortium has also reportedly written a “harassment letter” to Olupot although the contents of the letter are still unknown.

Dr Giregon, while making a presentation on a petition to EALA to create favorable legal framework in East Africa on GMOs, said the Biotechnology and Biosafety Consortium had made his life difficult. About 60 Civil Society Organizations under their umbrella body – Food Rights Alliance – have petitioned the regional parliament to enact a law that accommodates interests of the indigenous while using the GM technology.

The Biotechnology and Biosafety Consortium, launched on September 2, 2011, is a coalition of different stakeholders ranging from policy makers, scientists, private sector leaders, civil society organisation leaders and government officers in their individual capacities as well as stakeholder agencies both public and private unified for a common cause of advancing the role of biotechnology in improving livelihoods of the people in Uganda.

After several years of consultations and public engagement on matters of biotechnology and biosafety at individual level, interested stakeholders eventually decided to form a unifying body that is anticipated to help raise their voices.

The consortium’s main focus in the short term is to strategically engage government to table for enactment, the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill.

The consortium plans to use diplomatic means as well as comprehensive public awareness and engagement so that the importance and contribution of biotechnology and biosafety for national development can be clearly understood and provided for in country’s the development agenda.

But it appears Dr Olupot’s conduct and controversial views on GMOs are based on myths contrary to what science dictates.

For instance, Dr Olupot has been going around the country telling the public that consumption of GMO products would shorten male sexual organs and cause breast cancer in women.

kazcharlie@yahoo.com