KAMPALA, Uganda — Former Executive Director of the defunct Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, has passed away, Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning.
“I have learnt this morning with deep sorrow the passing of Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, the former ED of UCDA. Dr. Iyamulemye passed away this morning, 18th November 2025. He was a pillar of Uganda’s coffee sector and played a key leadership role in designing and implementing Uganda’s coffee roadmap, which led to the sector’s exponential growth,” Tumwebaze posted.
The minister noted that under Dr. Iyamulemye’s leadership, Uganda strengthened its coffee quality standards, expanded farmer extension services, and positioned itself among the world’s most competitive coffee origins.
“He fought firmly in international coffee bodies and forums, demanding the correct classification of African coffees Uganda’s Robusta and Ethiopia’s Arabica. He was a bold, firm, and intelligent officer. Together with colleagues, he worked tirelessly to open new coffee markets for Uganda, including China. On behalf of MAAIF, the coffee fraternity, and on my own behalf, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Tumwebaze added.
I have learnt this morning with deep sorrow the passing of Dr Emmanuel Lyamulemye, the former ED of UCDA.
Dr. Iyamulemye passed away this morning, 18th November 2025.Dr. Iyamulemye was a pillar of Uganda’s coffee sector and played a key leadership role in the design &… pic.twitter.com/LlZUYBJN3P
— Frank K Tumwebaze,MP: Isaiah 41: 11 (@FrankTumwebazek) November 18, 2025
As of November 2021, Dr. Iyamulemye’s career spanned more than 15 years. After graduate school, he served for two years as Programme Director for a project promoting NERICA rice in Uganda, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
He later became the National Programme Coordinator for two major development initiatives jointly funded by the European Union and the Government of Uganda to improve livelihoods in Northern Uganda. These were the Northern Uganda Agricultural Livelihoods Recovery Programme (ALREP), valued at €20 million, and the Karamoja Livelihoods Programme (KALIP), valued at €15 million, both running between 2010 and 2016.
Dr. Iyamulemye was first appointed CEO of UCDA in 2016, and in 2021, the UCDA Board renewed his contract for another five years, citing the strong performance of his first term.
UCDA was among the government agencies that were recently dissolved and integrated into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
