Uganda Inaugurates 7th National Biosafety Committee
3rd September, 2025
The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) inaugurated the 7th National Biosafety Committee (NBC). This was during an orientation meeting held at Royal Suites, Bugolobi, 0n 3rd September 2025.
The inauguration was officiated by the Executive Secretary of UNCST, Dr. Martin Ongol, who emphasized the pivotal role of the NBC in guiding Uganda’s biosafety agenda, strengthening national security, and ensuring the safe governance of biotechnology and emerging technologies.
The orientation session was designed to induct newly appointed members into Uganda’s biosafety regulatory framework, equipping them with knowledge of the Biosafety Act, relevant regulations, and their mandate in governing modern biotechnology. Expert presentations were delivered on legal, scientific, and policy perspectives, highlighting the importance of science-based decision-making, risk assessment, ethical oversight, and safeguarding national interests.
Officially Inaugurated Members include:
Prof. Lawrence Mugisha
Dr. Barbara Zawedde Mugwanya
Dr. Arthur Tugume
Commissioner Harriet Ityang
Prof. Gertrude Kiwanuka
Dr. Nixon Niyonzima
Dr. Joseph Nkodyo
Dr. Helen Ndagije
Dr. Francis Sabino
Mr. Issa Katwesige
Ms. Sylveria Alwoch
Mrs. Patricia Bageine Ejalu
Dr. Yona Baguma
Dr. Joshua Mutambi
Dr. Mary Teddy Asio
UNCST leadership commended the new committee members for their commitment and expertise, stressing the importance of collaboration among academia, research institutions, security agencies, regulators, and government ministries in ensuring biotechnology development is safe, ethical, and aligned with national and international standards.
This inauguration marks the beginning of the 7th NBC’s tenure, with a renewed mandate to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and advance Uganda’s biotechnology sector responsibly while contributing to national security and global health security.
About Biosafety, Biosecurity, and National Security
Biosafety and biosecurity are critical pillars of Uganda’s biotechnology governance framework.
Biosafety ensures the safe handling and containment of biological agents, preventing unintended exposure or release that could affect human health, agriculture, or the environment.
Biosecurity safeguards biological materials, technologies, and related information from theft, misuse, or intentional release.
National security is reinforced through effective biosafety and biosecurity systems, as failure in these areas could undermine public health, agriculture, and socio-economic stability.
Together, these elements provide a comprehensive risk management approach, ensuring Uganda’s compliance with national legislation and international obligations, while promoting innovation, ethical responsibility, public trust, and national resilience.
