Kampala, Uganda | Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) of Buganda, has emphasized that the Kingdom will persist with its “Emmwanyi Terimba” coffee initiative regardless of the proposed disbandment of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).
“I encourage Baganda and all Ugandans to keep cultivating coffee; your livelihoods are more important than the agendas of current politicians,” Mayiga stated following Parliament's recent vote to advance the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to dissolve UCDA after 32 years.
Mayiga criticized the decision, asserting that abolishing UCDA would unjustly impact the Baganda people, who are responsible for nearly half of Uganda's coffee exports. He referred to a controversial video where Speaker Anita Among appeared to encourage MPs to prevent representatives from Buganda from opposing the proposal, suggesting a political vendetta against the region.
In a post on X, he expressed confusion over how integrating UCDA into a ministry is perceived as a victory for those opposed to Buganda's interests.
Parliamentary Vote
On Thursday, Parliament voted to move forward with the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This vote followed a heated two-day debate between legislators from coffee-producing areas and those from regions without coffee cultivation. A division vote concluded with 159 MPs in favor of sending the Bill for further consideration, while 77 opposed it, mainly from the opposition.
Speaker Among invoked Rule 101 for the division vote after opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi challenged the accuracy of the Speaker’s claim regarding the majority’s support during a voice vote. After over an hour of voting, the session was adjourned, leaving stakeholders in the coffee sector uncertain about the Bill's future.
Context of the Bill
The government aims to streamline its agencies, including the UCDA, proposing its return to the Ministry as a department to cut costs and boost efficiency. Unlike the simpler dissolutions of the Dairy Development Authority and others, the UCDA's potential dissolution has sparked significant debate.
State Minister for Agriculture Bright Rwamirama assured Parliament of the government’s recognition of UCDA’s crucial role in the coffee sector and announced a three-year transition period for integrating the agency into the Ministry.
“This transition will allow stakeholders to understand that our goal is to empower farmers for greater earnings,” Rwamirama stated.
However, the Agriculture Committee submitted two minority reports against the main recommendation for dissolution. The primary report, presented by Lira District Woman MP Linda Agnes Auma, highlighted UCDA's achievements and advocated for a gradual transition.
Dissenting Views
The first minority report, supported by several MPs, called for maintaining a specialized agency for coffee management, similar to successful models in Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. MP Asinasi Nyakato emphasized that such a structure is essential to mitigate regulatory risks.
Dr. Abed Bwanika, presenting another minority report, raised concerns over the transition timeline and the Ministry’s capability to manage UCDA's responsibilities. He cautioned that such integration could jeopardize quality control, negatively affecting Uganda’s coffee exports, and recommended extending the transition to five years with sufficient funding for UCDA.
Heated Debate in Parliament
The discussion surrounding the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill was marked by intense conflict, especially among opposition MPs. There were clear efforts from representatives of coffee-growing regions to assert their positions, reminiscent of past debates on the dissolution of agricultural authorities.
Notable supporters of the Bill, such as Geoffrey Onzima and Joanne Okia, were involved in heated exchanges as tensions escalated. Speaker Among apologized for suggesting that only calm legislators would be allowed to debate after opposition chants of “Leave coffee alone” disrupted proceedings.
MPs voiced serious concerns about the potential consequences of dissolving UCDA. Michael Lulume Bayiga warned that losing UCDA's accreditation could lead to a lengthy recovery process, while Aisha Kabanda criticized the move as detrimental to the historical support provided to coffee farmers. Brenda Nabukenya stressed the importance of upholding UCDA’s quality standards, and Joel Ssenyonyi reiterated the need for broader consultation, given that the Bill impacts the livelihoods of 12 million coffee growers.
As the debate continues, the future of Uganda’s coffee industry remains uncertain, with significant implications for both farmers and the national economy.
