Buganda MPs call for coffee farmers’ holiday

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus have proposed the establishment of a public holiday for coffee farmers, coinciding with an upcoming House debate on the government’s proposal to merge the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF).

Though the date for the debate has yet to be confirmed, the Caucus has expressed strong opposition to the merger, which is part of a broader government rationalization plan aimed at consolidating various entities to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.

Buganda MPs argue that merging UCDA could endanger the livelihoods of millions of Ugandan coffee farmers. The chairperson of the Caucus, Muwanga Kivumbi, who is also the Butambala County Legislator, urged the President to withdraw the bill. He emphasized that placing coffee management under a ministry already facing significant challenges would be detrimental.

According to Kivumbi, UCDA should remain autonomous to protect Uganda’s leading agricultural exports. The Caucus has initiated regional consultative meetings with coffee farmers in response to the merger proposal. Although the Cabinet suggested a phased approach—maintaining UCDA’s independence for three years before merging it in 2027—Buganda MPs have rejected the compromise as unacceptable.

During a consultative meeting on Friday with hundreds of coffee farmers in Wobulenzi Town Council, Luwero District, Muwanga proposed that a public holiday be declared on the day Parliament debates the issue. He encouraged farmers to actively engage in the discussions.

Additionally, the MPs set up a platform to connect coffee farmers with counterparts across various regions, including western, eastern, and northern Uganda. Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga, Vice Chairperson of the Caucus and Buikwe South MP, explained that the platform’s purpose is to mobilize more farmers nationwide to oppose the merger, which they believe is in the best interest of the farming community.

Luwero District Woman MP Brenda Nabukenya assured farmers that all MPs from the district stand united against the merger, stressing that they will not allow coffee to lose its prestige, as has happened with vanilla and other cash crops.

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