KAMPALA – Former Minister for Ethics and Integrity James Nsaba Buturo has criticised the US Ambassador to Uganda Deborah Malac for allegedly interfering in Uganda’s internal affairs, saying it is time Government calls her to order.
Buturo made the allegations today while addressing journalists at Parliament alongside Silas Aogon (Kumi Municipality) where they called for a total ban on Genetically Modified Organisms saying the support for banning GMOs has grown ahead of third consideration of the Genetic Engineering Regulator Bill 2018 by Parliament.
“Government should warn that lady [Deborah Malac], she has no business interfering in the affairs of Uganda. We want government to remind her about etiquette. She should do things that are accepted internationally. She should mind her business as Ugandans mind their business,” he said,
Buturo was responding to remarks made by Ambassador Malac Facebook Live in October where one Ugandan asked her why the US is forcing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in Uganda yet there are countries that rejected GMOs.
Malac said that GMOs have suffered bad publicity on the use of biotechnology in agriculture saying for centuries farmers have been selecting new breeds of plants through selective breeding processes which takes a lot of time and called on the people debating the subject not to be emotive.
Buturo lashed out at the US Diplomat, asking her to stick to diplomatic engagements and not interfere with Uganda’s internal undertakings saying Uganda will never bow to pressure to accept Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Silas Aogon, backed the total ban of GMOs saying these cannot be managed by regulations saying, “What will be the effect of GMOs on health, land and trade? Have we reached [such a bad] level that we are so desperate and need GMOs. There are people trying to take advantage of Parliament to further their business. They want to re-colonise Uganda using food.”
