Kabaka adds voice to coffee debate, calls for revival of cooperatives to support farmers

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi has asked the leaders from all levels to find ways of reviving cooperatives to support coffee farmers in the country.

He said these cooperatives were used as engines for farmer harmonisation, nurturing access to agricultural financing, cumulative productivity and market entrée, and raising incomes.

"We want leaders to find ways of reviving cooperatives. This will help coffee farmers to benefit from coffee growing and ensure prosperity with one voice. One of the most important things that will benefit farmers is maintaining the standards," he said.

Kabaka made the remarks during his 29th Coronation Anniversary at his Mengo palace.

He asked coffee growers to ensure the standard is observed right from planting to harvesting adding that this will only be possible if a mechanism of helping them to get fertilisers among other things at an affordable price is put in place.

Kabaka asked the government to put in place mechanisms that can help coffee farmers to borrow money from financial institutions without being affected in one way or another.

The Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga said Kabaka’s voice on the need to protect local stakeholders in the coffee sector was loud and clear for all people to understand.

"It was a vindication of our position in Parliament that the coffee industry required organisation not stampeding the way the regime had elected to commandeer all matters by patronage.Giving organized leadership to the sector like His Majesty has ordered lifts the spirits of especially farmers that the concerns of stakeholders have merit," he said

Mpuuga said the attempt to shortchange local stakeholders through patronised pseudo investors shall not serve the ends of justice.

Parliament recently dismissed the controversial coffee agreement signed between the government and Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited (UVCC) earlier this year saying it was in bad taste.

The agreement signed by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the government would ensure the Italian private company adds value to the country’s coffee beans and promotes its export.