By Sekaggya Seka Moses
The 11th Parliament of Uganda, led by Speaker Annet Anita Among, has passed the National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024, moving the country’s coffee industry one step closer to significant changes.
The bill now awaits President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s signature to become law.
Once enacted, the bill will dissolve the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), transferring its responsibilities to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries.
This shift aligns with the government’s policy to rationalize agencies and reduce public expenditure.
However, the opposition, led by Joel Ssenyonyi, boycotted the bill’s passage, citing concerns over the potential impact on the coffee industry’s autonomy.
As the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Ssenyonyi has been vocal about various issues, including corruption and poor governance.
According to government, the National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024 aims to reform Uganda’s coffee sector, a vital contributor to the country’s economy.
As Africa’s largest coffee exporter and second-largest producer, Uganda seeks to improve regulation, production, and marketing to enhance quality, value addition, and sustainable growth.
The bill’s passage is expected to have significant consequences, including increased coffee production and exports, farmer empowerment, and increased local processing.
However, some stakeholders may resist the changes, citing potential additional costs or reduced profit margins.
