A team of researchers led by CABI have identified 9,071 pest species previously unreported in Uganda which pose potential concern in terms of possible threats to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers as well as food security in the country.

The study, published in Frontiers in Agronomy, used the CABI Horizon Scanning Tool to gather the data from which a subset of 1,517 pest species – such as Fusarium f.sp. cubence Tropical Race 4 (FoC TR4) on banana – for rapid risk assessment.

This was based on the likelihood of entry and establishment, the magnitude of socio-economic and environmental impact, as well as potential pathways of introduction of pest species that also include tomato leafminer (Pthorimaea absoluta), papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), and the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

In total, 360 of the 1,517 were reported as invasive

Of the pest species highlighted, 357 were arthropods, 130 were bacteria, 74 were chromista, 417 were fungi, 19 were molluscs, 124 were nematodes, nine were protists, and 387 were viruses and viroids, of which 360 of the 1,517 were reported as invasive.

Recommended actions to help manage the risks posed by these pest species include targeted surveillance, regulation supported by pest risk analysis, contingency planning, publicity, management by the industry, and research.

Dr Joseph Mulema, lead author of the study and Senior Scientist, Research at CABI, said, “The horizon scanning study has identified high-risk invasive pests that could threaten Uganda’s agriculture, biodiversity, forestry, and livelihoods.

“This information is vital for risk monitoring and management and can be utilised by countries in the East African Region.”

The agricultural sector is vital to the economic development of many countries

The agricultural sector is vital to the economic development of many countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), contributing an average of 25% to the Gross Domestic Product and supporting over 80% of rural populations.

In Uganda, this sector, which is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), accounts for approximately 24% of GDP, 35% of export earnings, and employs about 68% of the labour force.

However, pest species can negatively impact both staple and cash crops as well as the sensitive ecosystems, both of which are also affected by extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change.

Strengthen the capacity to manage pest species

Dr Paul Mwambu, Commissioner of the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification (DCIC) in Uganda, and also the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) head said, “Having now gained a comprehensive understanding of the potential impact that pest species may have on Uganda’s agricultural industry and environment, we are positioned to significantly enhance our capacity to manage these pests sustainably across the entire food value chain, and promote safe trade.

“This improved capacity will not only safeguard the livelihoods of smallholder farmers but also preserve our environment, including vital soil health as well as native flora and fauna, but also provides evidence-based decision making in trade facilitation.”

He added that the Agricultural Sector Strategic Plan (ASSP) formulated by MAAIF has already prioritized key commodities — including banana, cassava, cocoa, coffee, common bean, cotton, maize, palm oil, potatoes, rice, tea, oil seeds, fruits and vegetables, as well as dairy, fish, and livestock for meat production.

Dr Mwambu said the sector currently faces critical challenges such as land degradation caused largely by human activities, declining soil fertility due to unsustainable farming practices, and the persistent threat posed by pest infestations.

“Confronting these challenges requires coordinated, evidence-based actions to strengthen our pest surveillance, management, and prevention strategies, ensuring the sustainability and resilience of Uganda’s agricultural sector for future generations,” he said.

Pest pathways were assessed

Professor Herbert Talwana, from Makerere University, Uganda, and a co-author of the research, said, “Three pathways through which the pests could be introduced were assessed. These included containment, stowaway, and unaided.

“The containment pathway, relevant to seed-borne and seed-transmitted pests, was considered more plausible for species within and beyond Africa. However, the stowaway pathway, applicable to vector-and soil-borne pests, was deemed more plausible for species reported in a neighbouring country.”

Dr Idd Ramathani, Senior Research Officer at Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), emphasised that the study offers critical insights for safeguarding the country against new pest threats. He said the findings will help prevent pest introductions, strengthen contingency planning, and enable early detection—key steps for eradicating new incursions or containing their spread.

“Uganda can only achieve this by putting in place a robust risk monitoring, early detection, and rapid response system,” Dr Ramathani stressed. “Developing a national pest risk register will be central to tracking threats and guiding effective risk management.”

Further recommendations

Among the recommendations, the researchers suggest the DCIC should devise a strategy for risk communication and a code of conduct for key stakeholders to minimise the introduction of highly damaging pests identified in this study.

The considerable number of pests reported in neighbouring countries illustrates an information gap that must be addressed to limit the imposition of phytosanitary measures on pests that could be present in Uganda.

Dr Mulema said, “The suggested actions aim to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of quarantine pests or to generate, through research, the information necessary to guide phytosanitary decisions.”