MPs have called for tighter border controls and inspection to curb the importation and use of items that are hazardous to human life. While considering the Toxic Chemicals Prohibition Control Bill 2015, several legislators attributed the rise in cases of Cancer across the country to the failure to control toxic chemicals in various forms.

Ayivu County MP, Bernard Atiku, said that many hospitals are stuck with medical drugs that have expired. He said that expired drugs turn into toxic chemicals but the medical facilities do not have the capacity to dispose them.

Members of Parliament also called for controls in the acquisition, distribution and use of acid, which has been misused to maim several Ugandans. Mbale municipality MP Jack Wamai Wamanga said that the country has no capacity to monitor and destroy industrial waste, saying it goes into the water people drink and is threatening human life. He added that some of the junk vehicles and other used items imported into Uganda produce exhaust fumes that are dangerous.

The State Minister for Gender Labour and Social Development, Kamanda Bataringaya, said that Uganda needs an integrated chemical management system to curb the effects of such chemicals. He said that Uganda is a non-possessor state of chemical weapons but it is pursuing a peaceful development agenda on the use of chemicals for industrial development. He said some of the chemicals used in industries could pose a threat to human life if not well managed.

The Toxic Chemicals Bill gives effect to implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons and on their destruction. It also provides for inspections, searches and enforcement.