The Opposition in Parliament has vowed to put up a spirited fight on Wednesday during the Coffee Bill debate that seeks to rationalize the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and transfer it to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).

This comes as parliament is set to resume tomorrow at 10 am with the debate on the National Coffee Amendment Bill for the second and third readings.

Speaking to journalists at parliament immediately after the opposition caucus today morning, Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition said that as the Opposition they are ready to defend the economic empowerment of Ugandans and there is no justifiable intimidation that will stop them.

Ssenyonyi has also revealed that the Opposition is ready for any consequences, having learned of the Government’s plot to deploy security personnel at parliament during the coffee bill debate.

They have also appealed to Ugandans to join the struggle for the liberation of the coffee sector and not leave it to the MPs alone.

Ssenyonyi has also warned the Executive to stop dictating how parliament should operate.

This follows information that President Yoweri Museveni directed all NRM MPs to support the merger of UCDA with MAAIF and also promised to crush any leader who tries to challenge the rationalization of UCDA.

Ssenyonyi has also reiterated his stand that coffee is not only for Buganda as a region as portrayed by opportunists but for all Ugandans and it is non-partisan.

Similarly, Ssenyonyi has challenged President Museveni to walk the talk on cutting Government expenditure by reducing the number of his cabinet ministers, RDCs, rationalizing UNRA, URA and KCCA, and also stopping the creation of new administrative units.

By Francis Lubega

5 Nov 2024

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