Coffee Amendment Bill Debate Deferred Amid Tensions in Parliament
Dr. Abed Bwanika, presenting another minority report, proposed a five-year transition period, asserting that without adequate funding and time, Uganda risks losing its accreditation to export coffee.
Debate on the controversial Coffee Amendment Bill was postponed to tomorrow after a tense session in Parliament.
Members of Parliament expressed strong objections, challenging the Speaker's ruling to proceed with the discussion despite unresolved technicalities.
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The MPs were particularly alarmed by changes in the committee's recommendations regarding the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), which had previously been deemed too critical to merge with another ministry.
The committee's report indicated that the ministry intended to absorb UCDA currently lacks the capacity to manage its responsibilities effectively.
"While the government sought to rationalize overlapping mandates, UCDA is the only entity that has delivered on its mandate, generating Shs82.2 billion in revenues while requiring only Shs44 billion in investment," stated Linda Auma, chairperson of the committee on agriculture.
"The coffee sector must be independently regulated to meet export market demands."
Auma highlighted that since 2014/15, UCDA has increased coffee production from 3.5 million 60-kilogram bags to 8.06 million bags, with a target of 20 million bags by 2029/30.
"Merging UCDA and the Ministry risks derailing this critical goal," she warned.
The committee recommended a three-year transition period to allow the Ministry of Agriculture to build the necessary capacity. Auma stressed that immediate integration could jeopardize coffee quality control, risking adverse impacts on Uganda’s coffee exports and competitiveness.
Drawing comparisons with other countries, Auma noted, "Countries like Kenya and Ethiopia faced severe setbacks after attempting immediate rationalization.
They reverted to the agency model to restore their coffee sectors."
The bill also attracted two minority reports. One, presented by Hoima City’s Asinansi Nyakato, rejected the merger entirely, highlighting discrepancies in severance packages for UCDA staff.
"Certification and accreditation require a rigorous process that UCDA currently manages well. The Ministry lacks the systems and structure needed to handle coffee quality regulations," Nyakato argued.
Dr. Abed Bwanika, presenting another minority report, proposed a five-year transition period, asserting that without adequate funding and time, Uganda risks losing its accreditation to export coffee.
"The moment we tamper with UCDA, we jeopardize our global competitiveness," he cautioned.
The session turned chaotic as the Chief Whip moved to suspend parliamentary rules, igniting protests among MPs. A meeting was convened in the VIP lounge for over 40 minutes, but many left feeling frustrated.
As the House prepares to reconsider the bill at 10 a.m. tomorrow, tensions remain high, with concerns over stakeholder input and the future of the UCDA looming large.
