Government is still unclear on the reasons for the removal of the three year grace period it had agreed to grant the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) after rationalizing it under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).

On Monday the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni reconsidered this and resolved that the National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024 be supported and passed into law without  the three-year transitional period.

Speaking to the press at the Uganda Media Centre, the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi noted that one of the reasons for the Government rationalization program was for the immediate operation and not to treat any Authority as being special.

He explains that if any Ugandan is opposed to the rationalization of the UCDA their views will be presented through their respective legislators as they debate the bill in parliament hence appealing to MPs to avoid causing commotion in parliament but rather debate reasonably.

Baryomunsi also appealed to coffee farmers not to raise their fears about the bill because they are not going to lose anything they have been getting in matters related to their coffee but continue growing it.

By Olivia Nabaggala

5 Nov 2024

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