By Mukembo Wilfred
Parliament finally passed the highly contentious Coffee Amendment Bill on Wednesday afternoon, after a chaotic and tense morning session that saw an unprecedented fistfight between two Members of Parliament (MPs), and the suspension of several lawmakers.
The Bill, which amends the National Coffee Act of 2021, seeks to mainstream the functions of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture, marking a significant shift in the country’s coffee industry management.
The Bill was passed despite the absence of 12 MPs, who were suspended for their involvement in the morning’s disruption and the boycott of other many opposition legislators. Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, took the decision to suspend the MPs after a tense altercation broke out on the floor, with accusations of a physical fight between lawmakers.
Earlier in the session, confusion erupted when MP Francis Zaake of Mitanya Municipality claimed that a man with a gun had entered the parliamentary chambers, sparking fears of a security threat. The Speaker suspended the sitting for 30 minutes to restore order and address the situation.
Despite the disorder, the Bill, which has been fiercely debated for weeks, was eventually approved. Minister of Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze, who has been a vocal advocate of the Bill, defended it as part of a broader government initiative to rationalize public agencies and cut wasteful spending.
“This Coffee Amendment Bill, inter alia, relieves the Government of the financial drain on its resources and the burden of wasteful administration and expenditure on the Authority, yet the Ministry may perform the functions with less cost and expenditure,” Tumwebaze explained in his address to the House. He added that the Bill is also designed to improve service delivery by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry and avoiding duplication with other government agencies.
The Coffee Amendment Bill has been a point of contention between the ruling government and opposition groups, with many MPs, particularly from the Buganda Caucus, voicing strong opposition to the proposed changes. Critics argue that mainstreaming UCDA into the Ministry of Agriculture would weaken the independence and effectiveness of the Authority, which has been instrumental in supporting Uganda’s coffee sector.
On the other hand, the government has maintained that the Bill is crucial for reducing the number of public agencies and improving overall service delivery in the coffee sector, which is a key pillar of Uganda’s economy.
The 12 MPs suspended during the session were accused of contributing to the chaos that marred the debate, including the altercation that led to physical confrontations on the floor. The suspended members include Anthony Akol (Kilak North), Wakayima Musoke (Nansana Municipality), Aloysius Mukasa (Rubaga South), Charles Tebandeke (Bbale County), Francis Zaake (Mitanya Municipality), Isiah Sassaga (Budadiri East), Asinansi Nyakato (Hoima City), Derrick Nyeko (Makindye East), Frank Kabuye (Kasanda South), Evans Kanyike (Bukoto East), Shamim Malende (City), and Buvuma DWR Susan Mugabi.
The passing of the Bill is expected to have significant implications for Uganda’s coffee sector and the broader landscape of public service delivery, as it is part of a wider rationalization process aimed at reducing government expenditures and streamlining operations across various ministries and agencies.
Despite the drama and disruptions, the passage of the Bill marks a major step in the government’s ongoing efforts to reform and modernize the public sector, even as opposition figures continue to challenge the rationale behind the changes.
