Last week, Uganda witnessed a major shake-up in its coffee sector, with the controversial abolition of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).

For many, UCDA was seen as a beacon of hope for the coffee industry, which has historically played a central role in Uganda’s economy.

However, the government has now dissolved the body, placing it under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

This move has left many coffee farmers in doubt and fear about their future in the industry.

The Government’s Move to Abolish UCDA

The bill, which led to the UCDA’s dissolution, was introduced by the government, citing concerns about corruption within the Authority.

President Museveni himself backed the decision, claiming that UCDA had been filled with corrupt officials.

However, many critics, especially in the coffee-growing regions, argue that the move will destabilize the coffee industry, which has been a crucial source of income for thousands of farmers across the country.

The government’s decision has stirred a fierce debate, with many questioning whether the dissolution of UCDA will lead to improvements or further complicate matters for farmers.

Despite the government’s assertions, coffee farmers remain uncertain about the future of their livelihoods, as they depend on a stable coffee sector for their income.

Violence in Parliament amidist the Debate

As the bill made its way through Parliament, tensions ran high.

On that day, Mityana Municipality MP Hon. Francis Zaake was brutally beaten by Hon. Anthony Akol during the heated debate.
Therefore the Speaker subsequently suspending 12 members of Parliament—most of them opposition MPs.

The incident led to further unrest within the house, as the opposition decided to walk out, leaving the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs to pass the bill without opposition.

This has raised questions about the functioning of Parliament itself.

With opposition MPs protesting and security personnel seen in Parliament dressed in casual attire, there are growing concerns over the state of democratic processes in Uganda.

A Call to Keep the Coffee Fight Alive

Despite these challenges, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, a leading figure in the opposition, has urged Ugandans to continue growing coffee, stressing that the fight for the industry is far from over.

“Keep growing coffee and grow it in large quantities because the fight for it is still going on.

Gen. Museveni may think that the coffee is limited to him, but it will be there even longer than his lifetime, so don’t despair,” Ssenyonyi said.

Ssenyonyi’s remarks reflect the resilience of Uganda’s coffee farmers, who have weathered many storms over the years.

They are determined to ensure that the coffee industry remains a key part of Uganda’s agricultural landscape, despite the political and economic challenges they face.

The Future of Coffee in Uganda

As the government works to restructure the coffee sector under the Ministry of Agriculture, many are left wondering what the future holds for coffee farmers and the country’s coffee industry.

Will the new structure improve productivity and accountability, or will it undermine the sector’s potential?

One thing is certain: the fight for coffee in Uganda is far from over. Coffee farmers, industry stakeholders, and political leaders must come together to ensure that the sector thrives, ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from one of Uganda’s most valuable resources.