Is the cry over Coffee Bill, a spilt milk?

Highlights

• The policy behind the Bill is to give effect to the Government Policy for Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) which was adopted by the Cabinet on 22nd February 2021
• This is the second time the Bill is being deferred
• The MPs worry that the Bill will affect farmers from producing high quality coffee that can compete in the world market

By Sam Kumakech

Over the week in Parliament, a significant debate unfolded around the proposed National Coffee (Amendment) Bill-2024, which suggests dissolving the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and merging it into the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).

The opposition MPs strongly rejected the bill yes and as expected of their nature providing checks and balance to policies formulation, they emphasize that UCDA has been instrumental in regulating and promoting Uganda’s coffee industry, benefiting millions of Ugandans.

And they attest that UCDA must remain autonomous because merging it would weaken one of Uganda’s most successful sectors. I may refer to the above claims as crying over spilt milk because government position remains strong as Yoweri Kaguta Museveni defended the merger already.

Also, Speaker Anita Among has already referred the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to the Bills Committee of Parliament for clause-by-clause scrutiny after 159 legislators voted in its favour against 77 members who opposed the dissolution of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).

The Controversial Coffee Amendment Bill

The Speaker had earlier, in accordance with Rule 101 of Rules of Procedure subjected the report of the committee on the National Coffee Bill to a headcount vote.

To my surprise, sentimental debates are only touching other sides example leaving my area of Zombo and part of Nebbi District like Erussi, Ndhew and Atego Sub counties which are one of leading producer of fine Arabica Coffee in Uganda unmentioned.

Coffee is widely grown in the two districts of Zombo and Nebbi with many families largely dependent on the cash crop.

Therefore, because coffee is part of our livelihood source, I will pick up from here trying to dissect it to our local people to understand this bill furthermore if I can. So, help me God.

The Writer, Kumakech Sam (KUSAJA) is a concern citizen in Zombo