The debate over the proposed abolition of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) heated up in today’s parliamentary session, with some Members of Parliament, particularly from the opposition, strongly rejecting the bill. The government has proposed to place the UCDA under the Ministry of Agriculture, a move that has sparked significant controversy.
Kassanda North MP, Patrick Nsamba, criticized the bill, calling it “very bad” and warning that it could have far-reaching consequences on people’s lives. Nsamba emphasized that the coffee sector, which plays a pivotal role in Uganda’s economy, would face disruption if the UCDA were dissolved and its mandate absorbed by the ministry.
His concerns were echoed by Kilak North MP, Anthony Akol, who revealed that his constituents had already begun reaching out to express concerns about the bill. “Voters have started calling, asking us to reject it,” Akol stated, adding that many Ugandans feared that their livelihoods, which rely heavily on coffee production, would be negatively impacted if the bill passed.
The coffee sector is one of Uganda’s leading export earners, and many fear that placing the regulatory authority under a broader ministry could lead to inefficiencies and affect the sector’s growth. Despite these concerns, government officials argue that the move will streamline operations and reduce administrative costs.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the opposition’s concerns will sway the majority of MPs in the final vote on the future of the UCDA.
