Government is set to bolster the operations of Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) with coffee value addition equipment to enhance the profitability of farmers and revive the cooperative movement in Eastern Uganda.
While speaking at the union’s 64th Annual General Meeting in Mbale on Friday, State Minister for Cooperatives Fredrick Ngobi Gume revealed plans to procure modern processing machinery for the union to increase its capacity and earnings through value addition, aligning with the PDM initiative.
“As government we are in advanced stages of givin you value addition machines, such that you can be able to compete internationally” Gume stated.
The announcement comes amid concerns from some farmers questioning the rationale of setting up a coffee processing plant in Ntungamo district – far from the traditional coffee-growing zones in Bugisu and Central.
However, the minister reassured them that government support will directly benefit the BCU and its members urging local consumption of coffee.
BCU Chairperson Nathan Nandala Mafabi applauded the minister’s announcement, saying the union has made strides in processing coffee up to the green bean stage.
However, he stressed the need to scale up operations by investing in a facility capable of producing soluble coffee. He however emphasized that the equipment is not a kin offer.
“Government to giving us equipment, we shall pay after 10 years” Nandala clarified.
In a related development, the minister proposed the establishment of a coffee stimulus fund to support farmers, similar to financial interventions in other sectors.
He also pledged to back BCU’s request for war claims compensation.
“I want to present a paper to cabinet proposing a coffee stimulus fund. Coffee farmers, like other producers, deserve targeted support to boost production” he said.
However, the minister expressed concern over the ever diminishing number of delegates in BCU’s Annual General Meetings urging farmers to patronize their union to benefit from the upcoming investment.
The government's planned support for value addition, coupled with the proposed fund, is seen as a renewed push to empower coffee farmers, revive BCU’s influence, and position the Bugisu sub region as a competitive player in Uganda’s coffee export sector.