Open file 02

The EAC Agroecology Bill

The first law of its kind in East Africa. It would protect indigenous seed, curb agrochemicals and make agroecology the region's default rather than its exception.

Goal. Law

What success looks like

A model law adopted by the East African Legislative Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, binding across all member states.

Running since

2022

Working with

With AFSA and regional civil society

Stage 3 of 5 Tabled before the EALA ATNR Committee

Consultations Bill drafted EALA committee Plenary Assent

The timeline

Where it started, and where we are now.

2022 to 2023

National consultations completed

Farmer organisations, seed savers and agricultural ministries consulted across five member states.

2024

Model bill drafted

A full legislative text prepared with regional counsel, covering seed, agrochemicals and extension financing.

May 2026

Tabled before the EALA ATNR Committee

CEFROHT and regional partners formally presented the Bill to the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee, which pledged its support.

We are here

Pending

Committee report and plenary debate

The Committee reports to the Assembly, which then debates and votes on the Bill.

Pending

Assent by the Heads of State

Assent by all EAC Heads of State, after which member states begin domestication.

There is no law anywhere in East Africa that treats agroecology as the default rather than the alternative. The EAC Agroecology Bill would be the first.

It does three things. It protects farmer managed seed systems, so that saving and exchanging seed remains lawful. It sets limits on the agrochemicals that have been quietly banned in the countries that export them to us. And it obliges member states to direct agricultural extension budgets toward regenerative practice rather than input subsidy.

The Bill was drafted with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa and regional civil society, then carried through five national consultations before it went anywhere near a committee room.

Also open

Other files on the table.

All open files

File 01 · Since 2023 Goal. Regulation

Front of Pack Warning Labels

Getting a plain warning onto the front of every ultra processed pack sold in Uganda, so a shopper knows what is inside before it reaches the pot.

Stage 4 of 5 Nutrient Profile Model signed

Evidence Coalition Draft regs NPM signed Gazetted

With the Uganda National CSO Coalition and GHAI Follow this file

File 02 · Since 2022 Goal. Law