The opposition Justice Forum (JEEMA) is advocating for dialogue between the Government and coffee stakeholders regarding the rationalization of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), whose functions are to be transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has vigorously defended THE decision to rationalize the UCDA as contained in the National Coffee Amendment Bill which is before Parliament.

The JEEMA party Secretary General Muhammad Kateregga while addressing journalists at the party headquarters at Mengo, Kampala on Friday said that dissolution of UCDA would threaten the livelihood of millions of Coffee farmers in Uganda and the other beneficiaries along the coffee value chain said to be totaling to 12 million people.

Kateregga adds that transferring roles of UCDA to a ministry that has historically underperformed could have disastrous effects on the coffee sector hence the need for dialogue with all stakeholders before a final decision is made by the Government.

He calls upon Members of Parliament to be wise while deliberating on the proposal in the Coffee Bill to avert the likely aftereffects of its passing into law. 

By Charles Katabalwa

1 Nov 2024

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