The East African Legislative Assembly Convenes in Uganda to Advance an Agroecology Policy and Law in East Africa

Across the East African Community, the agricultural and food systems are facing mounting pressure. Climate shocks ranging from prolonged droughts to unpredictable rainfall continue to erode productivity and expose millions to food insecurity. Soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and growing dependence on costly synthetic inputs are weakening the resilience of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the region’s food system. Meanwhile, policy and legal frameworks remain outdated and heavily tilted toward industrial, input-heavy models that leave farmer-managed seed systems, indigenous crop varieties, and ecological practices vulnerable.

The region is also contending with rising food and input prices, shrinking dietary diversity, and growing threats to food sovereignty. Despite EALA’s previous resolutions, the absence of a policy and legal framework for agroecology has resulted in fragmented efforts, inadequate governance, and limited protection for the agroecology movement in East Africa. The situation is further complicated by emerging legislative frameworks like the East African Seed and Plant Varieties Bill, 2025, which, if not aligned with agroecological principles, risks undermining biodiversity, local seed systems, and smallholder autonomy.

East Africa is at a decisive moment. Without bold and coordinated legislative action, the EAC risks deepening rural vulnerability and losing its rich agricultural and ecological heritage.

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) convenes in Uganda

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has today convened in Mukono, Uganda, for a high-level capacity-building session aimed at fast-tracking the development of an agroecology policy and law within the East African Community (EAC). The session, convened by the Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT) in partnership with other regional agroecology networks, marks a pivotal moment for East Africa’s transition toward resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems.

This engagement follows a series of formal decisions by the Assembly, beginning with the EALA Resolution recognizing agroecology as a strategic priority and later the Motion calling upon the EAC Council of Ministers and Partner States to promote agroecology policy and legislative reforms as a cornerstone for food sovereignty, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient agriculture across the region. The engagement marks a significant step toward transforming these political commitments into tangible policy and legislative action.

Today’s session deepens this political commitment by equipping the legislators with practical insights into agroecology, including an experiential field learning visit to the CEFROHT Agroecology Learning Center, where members have witnessed firsthand the ecological, economic, and social benefits of agroecology in action. The program also includes a technical analysis of the East African Seed and Plant Varieties Bill, 2025, with a focus on ensuring that EAC’s seed governance aligns with agroecological principles, safeguards smallholder farmers, and protects biodiversity.

What it means for East Africa’s Agri-Food Systems

The EAC stands at a crossroads. While the region has made commitments to farmer-centered and biodiversity-friendly agriculture, it still lacks a policy and legal framework to guide agroecology implementation. Without such a framework, smallholder farmers, indigenous seed systems, and community-driven innovations remain vulnerable to industrial and commercial pressures that undermine resilience and food sovereignty.

As climate shocks intensify, the environmental and public health cost of synthetic inputs rises, and biodiversity depletion, agroecology offers a proven pathway to restore soil fertility, increase productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods, and promote healthy, sustainable diets. Today’s engagement builds the foundation for legislative action to make this transition a reality across East Africa.

Regional Solidarity for Agroecology

The event has brought together key stakeholders from across the region, including:
EALA, CEFROHT, Seed Savers Network Kenya, TABIO-Tanzania, PELUM-Uganda, ESAFF-Uganda, AFSA, Slow Food, ACSA, FIAN-Uganda, CONSENT, SEATINI, Mukono District Local Government, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, among others.

These partners reaffirm their shared conviction that agroecology is central to the region’s climate resilience, food sovereignty, and rural economic empowerment

A call to Action: EALA MUST Lead the Way

In line with the commitments previously made by the Assembly, and grounded in the outcomes of today’s capacity-building session, we call upon the East African Legislative Assembly to: Enact an Agroecology Policy and Law to Institutionalize Agroecology across East Africa.

Such a law will provide the regulatory clarity, governance mechanisms, and accountability systems needed to support agroecological transition in all Partner States. The future of East Africa’s food systems demands bold, unified action.

As we have seen today at the CEFROHT agroecology learning center, agroecology offers a scientifically sound, socially just, and climate-resilient pathway that ensures farmers thrive, ecosystems regenerate, and communities live healthy and dignified lives.

Today’s session marks a decisive step toward that future.

The next step is clear: EALA must deliver a strong policy and law that secures agroecology at the heart of East Africa’s development agenda.