By Kabuye Ronald
The Speaker of Parliament Anita Among this afternoon assured the country that the report of the committee on trade, Tourism and industries on the controversial coffee deal between the Government and the Uganda Vinci Coffee company Limited (UVCC) will be debated without failure.
Speaking during the sitting of Parliament, Among told the Members of Parliament that she is aware of the sentiments that have been expressed by the public and assured them that the Parliament will act in public interest.
“I want you to know that we work for the good of the common man and our Country and the report will be debated without fail.” Among noted.”
She added: “The report is ready and we shall have it presented. We work and represent millions of people out there. This report will come and we shall debate it.”
The speaker’s communication follows concerns from the public and MPs about the fate of the report.
The speaker also dismissed allegations and fears that the report would not see the light of day because of the interests at play, insisting the House will stand with the citizens.
The report was handled by the Parliamentary Committee on Trade chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka.
It should be noted that In February 2022, Kasaija, on behalf of the government, signed an agreement with Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited (UVCC) owned by an Italian investor, Enrica Pinetti, to have exclusive rights to buy Uganda’s coffee for processing.
This was on top of several incentives and concessions extended to the same coffee company that, among others include: allocation of 27 acres of land at the Industrial Park in Namanve; construction of an access road linking the plant to the main access road and power transmission to the plant at Government’s cost; and exemption from all kinds of taxes.
