The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, has assured the coffee stakeholders that the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) will keep running until the President officially signs the National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024 into law.
Tumwebaze announced this on November 19, 2024, while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala. This statement comes as discussions about the bill are ongoing, which seek to integrate UCDA into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF).
During his address, Tumwebaze reassured stakeholders that the current rules for the coffee sector are still in place until the bill becomes law. He emphasized that UCDA is conducting its operations, such as inspections, enforcement, farmer registration, and export certification, and will keep doing so until the bill is approved.
“I assure coffee stakeholders that UCDA is operating normally, and even after the bill is assented to, there will be continuity in services provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries,” he said.
The minister’s remarks come amid concerns regarding UCDA’s future after Parliament approved the bill, where stakeholders in the coffee industry, including farmers and processors, are worried that the rationalization might affect the sector, which plays an important role in Uganda’s economy.
Tumwebaze, however, emphasized that the government is dedicated to updating and improving the coffee sector while also cautioning farmers against illegal practices.
“The purpose of regulation is to stop wrongdoings and maintain quality in the industry,” he explained.
The National Coffee (Amendment) Bill 2024, which proposes the dissolution of UCDA after 32 years of operation, has sparked heated debate and opposition from various sections of the public and some Members of Parliament. Despite the backlash, Parliament voted to advance the bill, citing the need for greater efficiency and alignment with MAAIF’s broader agricultural mandate.
