The Kibaale Magistrates’ Court, in collaboration with officials from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and security forces, took action on Tuesday by burning over ten bags of premature coffee berries that were recently impounded. The individuals involved in this illegal activity have also been sentenced to jail time.
Earlier this month, a joint operation conducted by UCDA officials and Kibaale police targeted individuals engaged in the harvesting, selling, and trading of immature coffee. During this operation, George Nsereko, a coffee dealer from Masindi district operating in the Kituutu Trading Center, Karama Sub County, was apprehended. He was found in possession of over 10 sacks of immature coffee, valued at more than Ugx 40 million.
Following his arrest, Nsereko appeared before the Kibaale grade one court magistrate, His Worship Derrick Kamanzi. He was remanded to Kibaale prisons from April 16 until April 30 and was subsequently sentenced to community service.
Wickliffe Katulinde, the UCDA’s extension officer for the Bunyoro sub-region, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. He emphasized the importance of eradicating illegal harvesting practices to maintain the integrity of coffee production in Bunyoro. Katulinde reiterated the commitment of UCDA to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in similar unlawful activities.
Godwin Angalia Kasigwa, the Resident District Commissioner of Kibaale, applauded the court’s verdict, stating that it sends a strong message to both agricultural dealers and farmers. Kasigwa emphasized the importance of preserving the quality of coffee in the region and highlighted the disparities in coffee prices between Kibaale and other areas. He pledged continued efforts to eliminate the practice of harvesting premature coffee through collaborative efforts within the community.
