Agro input dealers in Lira given a 90 day ultimatum to register

26 February 2026, 10:44 pm

By Winnie Auma

Lira district authorities have given agro input dealers a 90-day ultimatum to register their businesses or face the law.

Patrick Alip, the senior agricultural officer for Lira district accused many agro input dealers of operating illegally, arguing that it contributes to the high rate of counterfeit produce in the market which also affects the heath of the community.

He therefore promised that the district leadership would start carrying out operation on culprits in May this year to enable them fish out such people.

The District Health Officer for Lira, Dr Buchan Ocen, said fake seeds sold in the markets and poor post harvest handling causes liver cancer to human beings due to the aflatoxins they contain.

He said over 75% of staple grains like simsim, groundnuts, cassava, and soghum produced in Uganda contain aflatoxins and therefore urged famers to ensure proper drying and storage of their crops.

The Director of Agrisol Agro inputs, Walter Okol, who spoke on behalf of the agro input dealers, said most of them had not been licensed because they didn’t know the procedure. He added that the training has been an eye opener to most of them.

Meanwhile, SP Ronald Atuhairwe, the in charge of agricultural offences, said police is ready to enforce the laws put in place to reduce cases of counterfeit dealers.