Akena referred to historical statements by President Museveni acknowledging the destruction of food supplies and the destitution of about 2.7 million people during that period. He argued that the loss of cattle deprived communities of daily nutrition, household income, school fees, draft power, and soil fertility, leaving effects that continue to be felt today.
Kampala’s waste management system has come under increasing strain in recent years, including during Uganda’s first National Cleaning Day, when the volume of collected waste overwhelmed collection teams and temporarily clogged the Buyala disposal facility.
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.
The National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will be carried on to the Bills Committee stage for clause-by-clause scrutiny after 159 members voted in its favor against 77 opposing members.
The Commission, led by Chairperson Winnie Agnes Kabogoza-Musoke, presented its annual report for Financial Year 2023/24 and asked Parliament to increase its budget from the current Shs12.1 billion to UGX 21.8 billion to meet their targets.
The controversial bill has since attracted comments from different political analysts in the media, where some have maintained that the bill is set to promote democracy while others have stressed that it’s a blank cheque to the NRM party to antagonize the opposition.