Ugandan authorities are poised to dispose of 1,700 tonnes of maize after a recent independent test by regional experts revealed elevated levels of aflatoxin, a carcinogenic compound. This maize had been seized by South Sudan following an alert by the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) in May, which led to the consignments being dumped at the Elegu border post in July.

Preliminary laboratory results indicate that the maize, valued at $2 million, now exceeds acceptable aflatoxin levels, with the East African experts’ tests revealing that it does not meet the East African Community’s (EAC) permissible limit for aflatoxin B1, which is five parts per billion (5ppb) within the EAC, compared to 10ppb elsewhere.

This situation has triggered a blame game, with grain millers attributing the contamination to poor storage facilities in South Sudan. They claim that the consignment was left in an open area for an extended period, exposing the grain to high temperatures and contamination.

Re-tests were conducted by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) under the supervision of EAC standard experts, with the process initiated in July and recently concluded.

Regarding the trade issue, South Sudan Ambassador to Uganda Juach explained that Ugandan traders had resumed exporting maize to South Sudan in mid-October after a three-month hiatus. The differences that had arisen in May 2023 regarding the tests conducted by the South Sudan Bureau of Standards were resolved when both standards bureaus met. It was found that some individuals were purchasing food from unregistered maize producers, leading to the disagreement. Now, the Uganda Bureau of Standards certifies the quality checks before maize crosses into South Sudan, ensuring smoother trade relations.