Lake Victoria (L. Victoria) is the largest African tropical and freshwater lake, with one of the highest pollution levels, globally. It is shared among Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, but it is drained only by the river Nile, the longest river in Africa. Though environmental studies have been conducted in the lake, investigations of the heavy metals (HMs) contamination of sediments from fish landing sites and ports on the Ugandan portion of L. Victoria are limited. In this study, sediments of an urban, industrial and fish landing site (Port Bell) on L. Victoria, Uganda was investigated to establish its HMs pollution levels and potential health risks to humans and ecosystems. Sediment samples were collected in triplicate (n = 9) from three different points of Port Bell, digested and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry for the presence of these HMs: copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr). The average daily dose through dermal contact and hazard quotient (HQ) were calculated to assess the health risk that is associated with dredging works (lake sand mining). Four geochemical enrichment indices: contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (I_geo), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk (PERI) were used to quantify the contamination of the HMs in the sediments. The results showed that the mean HM content of the samples ranged from: 6.111 ± 0.01 to 7.111 ± 0.002 mg/kg for Cu; from 40.222 ± 0.003 to 44.212 ± 0.002 mg/kg for Pb; from 0.352 ± 0.007 to 0.522 ± 0.010 mg/kg for Cr; from 3.002 ± 0.002 to 3.453 ± 0.003 mg/kg for Cd. Health risk assessments indicated that there are no discernible non-carcinogenic health risks that could arise from the dredging works that are conducted in the study area as the indices were all below one. The contamination factors that were obtained suggest that Cd has reached a state of severe enrichment in the sediments (CF > 6). An assessment using I_geo established that the sediments were not contaminated with regards to Cu and Cr, but they exhibited low-to-median and median contamination with respect to Pb and Cd, respectively. Though the pollution load indices show that the contamination levels raise no serious concerns, the potential ecological risk indices show that there is considerable pollution of the Port Bell sediments, particularly with regard to Cd. Upon examination using multivariate statistical analyses, Cd and Cr showed a strong correlation which alluded to their introduction from anthropogenic sources. Based on the sedimentary HMs concentrations and the environmental indices that are employed in this study, it is recommended that the spatial variations in the concentrations of the HMs in water, sediments and biota should be monitored.

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.

Contamination of drinking water by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) remains a critical public-health concern in Uganda. This systematic review compiled and harmonized quantitative concentrations (mg/L) for key PTEs, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe), across various potable and informal water sources used for drinking, including municipal tap water, boreholes, protected and unprotected springs, wells, rainwater, packaged drinking water, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. A comprehensive search of different databases and key institutional repositories yielded 715 records; after screening and eligibility assessment, 161 studies met the inclusion criteria, and were retained for final synthesis. Reported PTE concentrations frequently exceeded WHO and UNBS drinking water guidelines, with Pb up to 8.2 mg/L, Cd up to 1.4 mg/L, As up to 25.2 mg/L, Cr up to 148 mg/L, Fe up to 67.3 mg/L, and Mn up to 3.75 mg/L, particularly in high-risk zones such as Rwakaiha Wetland, Kasese mining affected catchments, and Kampala’s urban springs and drainage corridors. These hotspots are largely influenced by mining activities, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and corrosion of aging water distribution infrastructure, while natural geological conditions contribute to elevated background Fe and Mn in several regions. The review highlights associated health implications, including neurological damage, renal impairment, and cancer risks from chronic exposure, and identifies gaps in regulatory enforcement and routine monitoring. It concludes with practical recommendations, including stricter effluent control, expansion of low-cost adsorption and filtration options at household and community level, and targeted upgrades to water-treatment and distribution systems to promote safe-water access and support Uganda’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6.

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.

Potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination of food systems has emerged as an important environmental and public health concern in many developing countries, including Uganda, owing to rapid urbanization, industrialization, mining activities, wastewater reuse, informal waste disposal, and expanding urban agriculture. This review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed and selected grey literature on the occurrence of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in cereals, vegetables, tubers, livestock products, fish, fruits, and processed foods consumed in Uganda. A structured literature synthesis and screening-level dietary risk assessment using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), carcinogenic risk (CR), and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) were conducted to identify contamination hotspots, priority exposure pathways, and potential public health implications. The available evidence revealed substantial spatial variability, with contamination consistently concentrated in mining-influenced agricultural areas, wastewater-irrigated farms, municipal dumpsites, industrial corridors, and urban food markets. Vegetables, cereals, livestock products, fish, and street-vended foods exhibited the greatest contamination burdens, while Pb and Cd were the PTEs most frequently reported exceeding WHO/FAO, Codex Alimentarius, and Ugandan food safety limits. Screening-level risk estimates indicated that Pb, Cd, and Cr contributed most to cumulative dietary exposure, with children consistently exhibiting higher EDI, THQ, HI, and TCR values than adults because of greater food intake relative to body weight. Although cumulative HI and TCR values exceeded recommended screening thresholds in several hotspot regions, these estimates should be interpreted as conservative screening-level indicators derived from heterogeneous published datasets rather than nationally representative measures of dietary exposure. Overall, the evidence indicates that PTE contamination in Ugandan food systems is predominantly hotspot-driven and highlights the need for targeted surveillance, standardized monitoring and reporting, improved pollution control, and strengthened food safety management to reduce chronic dietary exposure and protect public health.