Contaminants of concern (CoCs) pose significant threats to Uganda’s ecosystems and public health, particularly in the face of rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and intensified agriculture. This systematic review comprehensively analyzed Uganda’s CoC landscape, addressing imminent challenges that endanger the country’s ecosystems and public health. CoCs, originating from urban, industrial, and agricultural activities, encompass a wide range of substances, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, radionuclides, biotoxins, disinfection byproducts, hydrocarbons, and microplastics. This review identified the major drivers of CoC dispersion, particularly wastewater and improper waste disposal practices. From an initial pool of 887 articles collected from reputable databases such as PubMed, African Journal Online (AJOL), Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, 177 pertinent studies were extracted. The literature review pointed to the presence of 57 pharmaceutical residues and personal care products, along with 38 pesticide residues and 12 heavy metals, across various environmental matrices, such as wastewater, groundwater, seawater, rainwater, surface water, drinking water, and pharmaceutical effluents. CoC concentrations displayed significant levels exceeding established regulations, varying based on the specific locations, compounds, and matrices. This review underscores potential ecological and health consequences associated with CoCs, including antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenicity. Inefficiencies in traditional wastewater treatment methods, coupled with inadequate sanitation practices in certain areas, exacerbate the contamination of Uganda’s aquatic environments, intensifying environmental and health concerns. To address these challenges, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) emerge as promising and efficient alternatives for CoC degradation and the prevention of environmental pollution. Notably, no prior studies have explored the management and mitigation of these contaminants through AOP application within various aqueous matrices in Uganda. This review emphasizes the necessity of specific regulations, improved data collection, and public awareness campaigns, offering recommendations for advanced wastewater treatment implementation, the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, and the enforcement of source control measures. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of further research to bridge knowledge gaps and devise effective policies and interventions. Ultimately, this comprehensive analysis equips readers, policymakers, and regulators with vital knowledge for informed decision-making, policy development, and the protection of public health and the environment.

Rapid industrialization in peri-urban centers has accelerated the accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils, with implications for food safety and public health concerns. This study quantified PTEs (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn) in soils and yam (Colocasia esculenta) tubers from Kampala’s Luzira Industrial Area. Soil contamination levels were evaluated using the geoaccumulation index (I_geo), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI), while soil-to-crop transfer of the PTEs was assessed using the biological accumulation factor (BAF). Statistical analyses (One Way Analysis of Variance, Pearson bivariate correlation, and Principal Component Analysis) were applied to identify relationships among PTEs and sampling sites. Soils exhibited marked industrial influence, with PTE concentrations in the order Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd. The PLI values above unity confirmed cumulative pollution, with hotspots dominated by Zn, Pb, and Cu. Yam tubers contained lower PTE concentrations but reflected a similar contamination pattern as in the soils. The BAF values were <1 for all the PTEs except Zn, pointing to its greater solubility and mobility in the area’s acidic soils. Health risk assessment indicated that yam consumption was the dominant exposure pathway, with hazard indices (HI) for children exceeding the safe threshold at all industrial sites (HI = 1.14–2.06), and total cancer risks (TCR) ranging from 1.27 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.83 × 10⁻⁴, well above the US EPA limit. For adults, the TCR also surpassed 1 × 10⁻⁴ at sampling points SP3 and SP4. These results found potential transfer of the PTEs from soils into yam tubers, with Cd and Cr being the key drivers of dietary risk.

Emerging pollutants pose significant threats to Uganda's ecosystems and public health amidst rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and intensified agriculture. This systematic review comprehensively assessed these pollutants by analyzing existing Ugandan literature and research studies, revealing various types in different environmental compartments. These pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, radionuclides, biotoxins, disinfection byproducts, hydrocarbons, and microplastics, originate from urban, industrial, and agricultural regions. Wastewater and improper waste disposal are major contributors. From an initial search of 794 articles across multiple databases such as PubMed, African Journal Online (AJOL), Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, 138 were found relevant. The review underscores potential ecological and health impacts, including antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenicity. Existing monitoring and regulation efforts are discussed, alongside the need for specific regulations, improved data collection, and public awareness campaigns. Recommendations include advanced wastewater treatment, sustainable agriculture, and source control measures. Emphasis is placed on further research to address knowledge gaps and develop effective policies and interventions. Uganda can mitigate these risks by implementing comprehensive monitoring, robust regulations, and sustainable practices, safeguarding the environment and public health.