The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, has asked Speaker Annet Anita Among to consider excusing herself from discussions on the National Coffee Amendment Bill following the recent tribal allegations.
Ssenyonyi made these remarks on November 6, 2024, during the plenary session, citing the remarks made by the Speaker during a previous heated debate, which caused mixed reactions, preventing the Buganda region from achieving sufficient representation to advance the bill to a second reading.
“We did see you make remarks that seem to prejudice a particular tribe; let’s make sure these Baganda don’t get the matter. As we have said, this isn’t a matter of Buganda; coffee is grown in different parts of the country. I was very disappointed to see my leader, madam Speaker, make those remarks; maybe the government needs to clarify, in bringing this bill, are you targeting Buganda and Baganda?” Ssenyonyi said.
He argued that the speaker made remarks indicating that she was particularly interested in the Coffee Bill and exchanging words with the Government Chief Whip, Hamson Dennis Obua, noting that she should have declared that interest and excused herself from that matter.
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However, Among declined to respond to Ssenyonyi’s appeal at that very moment and instead, promised to give an appropriate response after the matter had been printed on the order paper.
Nonetheless, there were attempts by Fox Odoi (West Budama North East) to block Ssenyonyi from raising concerns about the tribalism issue that had foiled the Coffee debate.
On March 27, 2024, the first reading was made in parliament with an Act to enact the National Coffee Act 2021. Act 17 of 2021 aims to dissolve the Coffee Development Authority and transfer its functions to the Ministry responsible for agriculture. This change aligns with the government policy on the rationalization of government agencies and public expenditures.
