The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), in partnership with the National Council for Science and Technology, recently conducted a training for environment officials from 7 districts in the Karamoja Sub-Region on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing (ABS).

This initiative aimed to strengthen understanding of both national and international frameworks governing genetic resources, with a focus on:

• Protecting genetic information
• Ensuring fair and equitable benefit sharing
• Supporting research, medical innovation, and genetic-based products

Participants gained practical knowledge on:

• Prior Informed Consent
• Mutually Agreed Terms
• Material Transfer Agreements
• Patenting of genetic materials
• Fees & permits for genetic material transfer and many more…

The districts include; Moroto, Napak, Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Kaabong, Abim and Kotido.

Uganda implements the ABS framework under the Nagoya Protocol, with NEMA as the lead authority. The training emphasized that the use of genetic materials must follow Material Transfer Agreements to guarantee fairness, equity, and sustainability.