BY JOACKIM KULE MUHESI
A section of leaders from the greater Bugoye sub-county in Busongora County North, Kasese district has positively welcomed the dissolution of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and the transfer of its functions to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
On November 07, 2024, the Parliament of Uganda passed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024 integrating UCDA into the line Ministry.
The bill was part of the government’s Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) policy aimed at streamlining public spending and reducing redundant administrative structures. On December 23, 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni signed the said bill into law.
Speaking to our reporter today afternoon at his office, the Ibanda – Kyanya Town Council Chairperson, Mr. Modesto Bwambale Kanekerya, said the dissolution of UCDA would curtail the farmers from the practice of compromising the quality of coffee and affecting its prices.
According to him, when UCDA was still in-charge of coffee, most farmers were not allegedly helped and sensitized about the proper maintenance of their coffee plantations, hence affecting the quality of the produce.
He was happy that after its dissolution, one person from his area of jurisdiction has been arrested and remanded to Mubuku Government Prison for harvesting immature coffee cherries.
On his part, the Bugoye sub-county Chairperson, Mr. James Katalikwa Muthulhanda said that after the dissolution of UCDA, the prices of coffee are favoring the farmers.
Currently, a kilogram of coffee is being bought at between shillings 15,000 and 17, 000 depending on the quality. ENDS