Rushing the rationalisation of agencies may backfire and harm our interests - warns DP
The Democratic Party has expressed reservations about the government’s plan to rationalise agencies, especially the decision to bring the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Acting Democratic Party Spokesperson Ismail Kiirya warned that while rationalisation could streamline operations, a hasty approach could backfire.
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Kiirya urged a phased approach, saying that the initiative of government agencies is good, but it should be handled in phases.
“We expect government to first analyse the objectives for which it created these agencies and assess each entity based on how it has performed according to the set objectives,"he said.
The Democratic Party supports the idea of reviewing agency functions, but Kiirya emphasised that not all agencies should be absorbed into ministries.
“We do agree agencies need to be rationalised, but not all agencies need it. Otherwise, we may shoot ourselves in the foot if we rush this process,” he cautioned.
The proposal to dissolve the UCDA, an agency managing Uganda’s coffee sector, has sparked significant debate.
Kiirya argued that with approximately 12 million Ugandans involved in coffee farming, stakeholders should have been consulted.
“Don’t these farmers require a consultation on the performance of UCDA?” he asked, highlighting the need for public input. He further questioned the justification for dismantling an agency that exceeded financial targets last year.
“Last year, it was given a target of 45 billion shillings and earned over 80 billion shillings. Now, what’s the government’s basis for removing such an agency?”
Kiirya also doubted the Ministry of Agriculture’s ability to handle the responsibilities currently managed by UCDA.
“The Ministry doesn’t have the capacity to oversee the coffee farmers,” he stated, arguing that the UCDA’s expertise in the sector is critical to its success.
Calling for unity among Ugandans to protect the UCDA, Kiirya urged cultural, political, and religious leaders to rally against the move.
“The issue of coffee in Uganda is not for a particular ethnic group, cultural institution, or region; it’s for all Ugandans,” he said.
He appealed to stakeholders to “come together on the issue of UCDA to challenge it at whatever level in their capacity.
