(Kampala) – Buganda Kingdom Urges Support for Coffee Production Amid Push to Scrap UCDA
Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) of Buganda, has issued a call to safeguard Uganda’s coffee sector, urging coffee farmers to continue their work in response to ongoing discussions in Uganda’s Parliament on scrapping the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA). The UCDA, which regulates coffee production, has long supported the livelihoods of millions of Ugandan households, many of whom are small scale farmers.
The debate around UCDA’s future has stirred tension, particularly as Buganda, which contributes almost half of Uganda’s coffee exports, stands to be deeply impacted. According to Mayiga, some leaders see dismantling UCDA as a move against Buganda’s economic interests. Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and supporters of the amendment bill have viewed the measure as a political success, potentially affecting Buganda’s economy and farmers directly.
Buganda Kingdom’s long running “Emmwanyi Terimba” coffee initiative encourages both Baganda and other Ugandans to keep growing coffee, emphasizing its value to local economies and households. “Your livelihood is more important than the motives of present day politicians,” Mayiga commented, urging farmers to continue cultivating coffee, a crop that directly sustains approximately two million households across Uganda.
| Impact of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | To oversee coffee production and export quality in Uganda |
| Estimated Households Benefiting from Coffee Production | Approximately 2 million households |
| Contribution of Buganda to Uganda’s Coffee Exports | Nearly 50% |
| “Emmwanyi Terimba” Initiative Goal | Promote coffee farming across Uganda |
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority was created to support and regulate coffee production standards and exports, which remain one of Uganda’s largest foreign exchange sources. The amendment bill proposing to dismantle UCDA has thus sparked concern among stakeholders, including Buganda’s leaders and coffee farming communities, who view it as a vital support system in a competitive industry.
Mayiga underscored that this new development could harm a vast population, noting that coffee’s economic value is essential not only to Buganda but to the entire nation. He called upon all Ugandans involved in coffee farming to recognize the broader economic importance of their work, which supports families, communities, and Uganda’s international trade standing.
The #EmmwanyiTerimba and #Federoeyebikolwa social media tags have garnered attention as advocates and citizens debate the value of UCDA and potential impacts of removing it on Uganda’s agricultural economy.
| Summary of Coffee Sector and UCDA Debate | |
|---|---|
| Current Proposal | Amendment bill to dismantle UCDA |
| Key Supporters of Amendment | Speaker Anita Among and supporting MPs |
| Buganda’s Stance | Opposed to dismantling UCDA; encourages continuous coffee farming |
| Estimated National Coffee Sector Impact | 2 million households, key foreign exchange earner |
Emphasizing that coffee production will continue under the Emmwanyi Terimba Initiative, Mayiga reassured farmers that the Kingdom remains dedicated to Uganda’s coffee sector.
