By Sekaggya Seka Moses
President Yoweri Museveni recently addressed the nation regarding the National Coffee Amendment Bill, 2024, which aims to rationalize the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and other agencies.
“Those groups that have been misinforming the public recently about the parasitic agencies that we are rationalizing, especially UCDA, are a disgrace to the country,” President Museveni stated.
He expressed embarrassment over the focus on “minor things like coffee,” criticizing those tribalizing the issue and predicting their political punishment.
Museveni highlighted Uganda’s economic growth, from 3.9 billion UGX (approximately 1.05 billion USD) in 1986 to 205 trillion UGX (approximately 55 billion USD) today, with a 6.3% annual growth rate over 38 years.
“We are now a lower middle-income country with GDP per capita 4.28 million UGX (approximately 1,154 USD),” he noted.
Museveni emphasized his determination to add value to coffee, increasing its price per kilogram from 9,250 UGX ($2.5) to 93,000 – 148,000 UGX ($25-40) and creating more jobs for Ugandans.
The President reflected on the country’s history, citing the destructive reign of Idi Amin and the subsequent rebuilding efforts.
He emphasized the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) focus on patriotism over financial gain.
Museveni thanked NRM MPs for putting an end to “parasitic agencies” consuming significant funds, citing potential savings of 5.55 trillion UGX (approximately 1.5 trillion USD) annually.
“We of NRM and FRONASA always work for patriotism and not money,” he reiterated.
The National Coffee Amendment Bill, 2024, sparked intense debate, with some arguing that abolishing UCDA would harm the coffee industry and those whose livelihoods depend on it.
