Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga of Buganda has made a compelling case for the continued existence and support of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA). His statement comes in the wake of increasing government attempts to reform the coffee industry, including the controversial UCDA (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to abolish the authority.
The Role of Emmwanyi Terimba Initiative in Coffee Development
In his statement, Mayiga highlighted the successes of the Emmwanyi Terimba Initiative, an agricultural program launched in 2016 to address poverty in the Buganda region. The initiative emerged from insights gained during the Ettoffaali Drive between 2013 and 2016, a fundraising campaign that revealed widespread poverty. The initiative aimed to boost coffee production as a means of improving household incomes.
The UCDA partnered with Emmwanyi Terimba by providing 10 million coffee seedlings and extension services, contributing significantly to the quality and quantity of coffee produced. These efforts paid off, marking a notable improvement in both the production and livelihoods of farmers within Buganda. It is this very partnership that Mayiga argues must be preserved for the betterment of the coffee industry.
The Value Addition Dilemma in Coffee Production
Addressing the issue of value addition in Uganda’s coffee industry, Mayiga noted the limited returns from selling unprocessed coffee (kase) compared to processed coffee products. He cited the examples of Brazil and Vietnam—wealthier countries and leading global coffee producers—that still sell unprocessed coffee, even while adding value in their own markets. This balance allows them to cater to the large European and American markets where the final products are consumed.
Mayiga emphasized the importance of UCDA’s role in promoting value addition for Uganda’s coffee industry, pointing to the authority’s efforts in promoting quality farming practices, increasing production, and exploring potential bi-products. He called for further funding and support for UCDA, noting that dismantling such an essential institution would harm millions of Ugandan coffee farmers.
Concerns over Government’s Control and Motives
Mayiga’s statement did not shy away from addressing the government’s controversial interventions in the coffee industry. He expressed concern over the government’s attempts to gain greater control over coffee production, including the 2020 Coffee Bill, which included punitive measures such as jailing farmers for abandoning their farms. Additionally, the government’s agreement with Italian investor Enrica Penneti to give her company a monopoly over the coffee chain raised alarm among industry stakeholders.
The Katikkiro pointed out that the current UCDA (Amendment) Bill aims to eliminate an agency that has been central to Uganda’s coffee success story. He voiced his apprehensions about the motives behind such moves, especially when stakeholders’ views and interests are seemingly ignored.
A Call for Preservation and Accountability
In conclusion, Charles Peter Mayiga made a strong case for retaining the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, urging that it should be funded and empowered rather than abolished. He underscored the vital role that UCDA plays in advising on good farming practices, improving crop quality, increasing production, and expanding coffee consumption domestically.
The government’s recent maneuvers, he suggested, point to ambiguous intentions and a disregard for the voices of key stakeholders. Mayiga’s stance is a call for transparency, accountability, and a commitment to protecting the livelihoods of millions of Ugandans who depend on the coffee industry.
As Uganda continues to strive for agricultural development and poverty alleviation, the preservation of institutions like UCDA remains crucial for sustainable progress. The Katikkiro’s words resonate as a firm reminder of the delicate balance needed to maintain growth in a sector upon which the nation relies heavily.
