(Kampala) – Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has accused Speaker of Parliament Anita Among of making discriminatory remarks against the Baganda community during discussions on the Coffee Amendment Bill. In a social media post, Bobi Wine claimed that Among allegedly instructed parliamentary members to “make sure those Baganda don’t get numbers,” which he described as a “despicable” display of bias against the Baganda people.
Bobi Wine’s comments sparked significant reaction online, where he questioned the Speaker’s impartiality and called for her resignation. He emphasized that Parliament is located within the region of Buganda and that Among’s alleged remarks were not only “unacceptable” but could also be considered an act of tribalism. Bobi Wine argued that as Speaker, Among should remain neutral, yet, according to him, she was actively advocating for specific legislation under instruction from President Museveni.
Bobi Wine further alleged that Among was working to ensure the passage of the Coffee Amendment Bill “by hook or by crook.” He criticized what he claimed was her active support for the bill, suggesting that her role as Speaker demands an unbiased approach.
The Coffee Amendment Bill has been a topic of considerable debate, with opposition leaders and some members of Parliament voicing concerns over its implications on Uganda’s coffee sector. Bobi Wine and other critics argue that the bill could disproportionately affect certain communities, including the Baganda.
| Key Figures | Role | Statement or Action |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) | Opposition Leader | Accused Speaker of tribalism, called for her resignation |
| Anita Among | Speaker of Parliament | Alleged to have made anti-Baganda comments and advocated for Coffee Amendment Bill, according to Bobi Wine |
| Yoweri Museveni | President of Uganda | Alleged by Bobi Wine to be behind the push for the Coffee Amendment Bill |
The Speaker’s office has yet to respond to the allegations. Meanwhile, Bobi Wine called upon Ugandans to take a stand against what he described as ongoing “humiliation” by the current administration, urging them to demand accountability from their leaders.
A highly charged session in Uganda’s Parliament led to a temporary halt on the National Coffee Amendment Bill, 2024, after opposition leaders challenged Speaker Anita Among’s handling of the debate. The opposition, led by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, took issue with Among’s decision to move forward with the bill’s discussion despite their calls for further review.
The session grew tense when Government Chief Whip Hamson Dennis Obua introduced a motion to debate three reports on the bill. Speaker Among ruled in favor of advancing the debate, leading opposition MPs to stand in protest. Ssenyonyi argued that Speaker Among’s decision was challengeable under parliamentary rules and emphasized that their stance was not a sign of defiance but a procedural right.
In response, Among attempted to proceed, asking the members to continue the debate and defer final decisions until the next session. However, opposition members remained firm, ultimately causing Among to delay further consideration until the following day.
| Key Figures | Role | Actions/Statements |
|---|---|---|
| Joel Ssenyonyi | Leader of the Opposition (LoP) | Objected to Speaker’s decision to push forward; emphasized right to challenge her ruling |
| Anita Among | Speaker of Parliament | Allowed debate to proceed despite opposition objections; eventually postponed vote |
| Hamson Dennis Obua | Government Chief Whip | Initiated motion to debate three committee reports on the Coffee Bill |
| Gilbert Olanya | PAC Chairperson | Presented the 2022/2023 auditor general’s report following delay in Coffee Bill debate |
The opposition’s resistance highlights growing concerns about the bill’s potential impacts on Uganda’s coffee industry. Specifically, the bill has faced scrutiny over proposed changes that would transition the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture over three years, allowing the ministry to build the necessary capacity to oversee coffee development in Uganda. Chairperson Linda Agnes Auma of the House Committee on Agriculture argued that this shift would benefit Uganda’s coffee sector, yet two minority reports opposed the integration.
The first minority report, led by MPs Abed Bwanika and Asinansi Nyakato, strongly disagreed with the government’s merger proposal. They argued that the UCDA’s specialization is crucial for Uganda’s coffee industry and that successful coffee-producing countries, such as Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia, maintain independent coffee agencies. Nyakato highlighted UCDA’s rigorous certification and accreditation systems, warning that folding UCDA into the agriculture ministry could compromise Uganda’s standing in global coffee markets.
| Committee Report | Position | Reasoning/Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Majority Report | Supports merging UCDA with Ministry of Agriculture | Believes agency model could temporarily support coffee sector while ministry builds capacity |
| First Minority Report | Opposes merging, advocates for independent UCDA | Argues specialized agency is vital; merging could harm coffee quality and compliance in international markets |
| Second Minority Report | Allows merger if five-year transition is provided | Suggests gradual transition to avoid losing international accreditation and quality control capacity |
In the second minority report, legislator Abed Bwanika recommended a five-year transition period to absorb the UCDA into the Ministry of Agriculture, citing the extensive timeframe needed for system accreditation in international coffee markets. Bwanika cautioned that without adequate capacity, the ministry would struggle to uphold Uganda’s quality and regulatory standards, potentially damaging the country’s competitive position.
