Legislators have voted to proceed with the Second Reading of the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to mainstream the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
The National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is among several other Bills for rationalisation of agencies and reducing public expenditure.
The Bill was read for the first time on September 24, 2024, and subsequently referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for scrutiny in accordance with Rule 129 (1) of the Rules of Procedure.
The Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Animal Industry), Hon. Bright Rwamirama, moved a motion for the Bill to be considered for its second reading during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Thursday, 24 October 2024.
He justified his motion by emphasising that mainstreaming UCDA would address wasteful administration and expenditure, ensuring efficient and effective services delivery.
“The objective of the Bill is to restructure UCDA and reorganise it as a department of the government within the Ministry of Agriculture, aimed at eliminating bloated structures and functional ambiguities in government agencies,” he said.
A report presented by Hon. Linda Auma, (Indep., Lira District Woman Representative), also Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, agreed with government's proposed merger, with the rider that a three-year transitional period is provided.
Hon. Abed Bwanika (NUP, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division), presented a minority report opposing the abolition of UCDA.
He argued for a five-year transitional period to allow the agriculture ministry to establish systems and structures necessary for Uganda to retain its coffee export accreditation, currently held by UCDA.
“We do not want to replicate the failures of our neighbours in Kenya and Ethiopia, who faced severe consequences after rationalising their boards,” he cautioned.
MP Agnes Kirabo (NRM, Youth Central), insisted that UCDA should remain independent due to its significant revenue contributions.
Similarly, the Mbale District Woman MP Hon. Miriam Mukhaye added that UCDA has fostered an enabling environment for farmers in her district by providing training and support for improved coffee production.Other MPs like Gorreth Namugga, (NUP, Mawogola County South) criticised the agriculture ministry, stating it had failed to manage several projects effectively.
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, emphasised that UCDA should be empowered to expand its services to emerging coffee-growing regions, such as West Nile and Northern Uganda.
In the interest of equity, the Speaker subjected the Bill to a Division Lobby (headcount vote outside the Chamber) as per Rule 101 of the Rules of Procedure.
When the vote was finally tallied, 77 MPs voted against the motion for Second Reading of the Bill, while 159 MPs voted in support.
UCDA was established in 1991 under the Uganda Coffee Development Authority Act, Cap. 325, which was repealed and replaced by the National Coffee Act No. 17 of 2021.
The authority’s mandate includes regulating activities within the coffee value chain, promoting coffee quality, supporting research and development, and optimising earnings for stakeholders in the sector.
