Opposition to Resume Fight Against Coffee Bill After Parliament Break

(Kampala) – The opposition has vowed to intensify its efforts against the recently passed Coffee Bill, which seeks to merge the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) with the Ministry of Agriculture. Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, made the statement in a strong response to claims that the opposition had given up on the issue.

In an interview with NTV, Ssenyonyi clarified that the opposition had not abandoned its stance and was preparing to revive its fight against the bill when Parliament resumes its sessions. “We have not given up our fight to challenge the recently passed Coffee Bill,” Ssenyonyi asserted, addressing public concerns about the bill’s potential consequences for the coffee industry in Uganda.

Ssenyonyi also rejected accusations that the opposition had quietly allowed the bill to pass through Parliament without sufficient resistance. He expressed confidence that when Parliament reconvenes, they would be able to reignite their efforts to challenge the bill, which has been a source of controversy due to concerns over the merger’s impact on the coffee sector.

The Coffee Bill, which was passed despite protests, has sparked a heated debate about its implications for the management and future of Uganda’s coffee industry. Critics, including members of the opposition, argue that the bill could lead to mismanagement and diminish the authority of the UCDA, a body that has long been seen as central to the growth of Uganda’s coffee industry.

Despite the setbacks, the opposition remains firm in its commitment to challenging the bill, believing that it will harm the interests of coffee farmers and undermine the country’s coffee export sector.