By Jumah Kakomo
The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party is vehemently opposing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s plan to merge the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), asserting that such a move would jeopardize the effectiveness and expertise crucial to promoting Uganda’s coffee industry.
The proposed merger, part of Museveni’s Rationalization of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) initiative aimed at cutting administrative costs and enhancing efficiency, has stirred significant backlash from lawmakers and coffee farmers. Critics argue that UCDA’s specialized role in monitoring coffee production and enforcing quality standards for export would be diluted if it is subsumed under the broader ministry.
During a recent meeting with National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament, concerns were raised regarding potential job losses and the risk of undermining UCDA’s autonomy. Many MPs emphasized the importance of preserving the authority’s independence to effectively support the coffee sector.
Joseph Kiiza Kabuleta, president of NEED, highlighted coffee’s critical role in Uganda’s economy, stating, “Coffee is the lifeblood of our economy, providing livelihoods for millions of Ugandans.” He pointed out that the coffee industry is not only a significant source of foreign exchange but also a vital income stream for smallholder farmers, who make up over 90% of the coffee-growing population in Uganda.
Kiiza further argued that if the government is serious about reducing costs, it should consider alternative measures, such as reducing the number of legislators or state funding, rather than compromising the dedicated agency that supports Uganda’s key export. “Merging UCDA would be counterproductive,” he declared, asserting that the authority has made commendable strides in improving coffee standards.
As the government navigates these contentious proposals, the future of Uganda’s coffee sector hangs in the balance, with stakeholders urging a reconsideration of any plans that could weaken the industry’s foundations.
