Parliament Passes Coffee Bill

Parliament finally passed the contentious Coffee Amendment Bill on Wednesday, following a tumultuous morning session marked by a physical altercation between two Members of Parliament. This Bill amends the National Coffee Act, 2021, transferring the Uganda Coffee Development Authority’s (UCDA) functions to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Minister of Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze, said that this move is part of a broader rationalization process aimed at reducing government costs and improving efficiency.

“The Coffee Amendment Bill relieves the Government of financial strain from UCDA’s administration, enabling the Ministry to perform these functions more cost-effectively,” Tumwebaze explained. The Bill aims to streamline service delivery by clearly defining the roles of the Ministry and avoiding overlap with other government bodies.

Tensions ran high during the debate, resulting in the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, suspending 12 members, including Anthony Akol, Wakayima Musoke, Aloysius Mukasa, and Francis Zaake, for their involvement in the morning’s chaotic proceedings. The Speaker had also temporarily halted the debate after Zaake alleged that an armed individual was in the chamber, heightening an already charged atmosphere.

The Bill faced resistance from opposition members and the Buganda Caucus, who opposed the integration of UCDA into the Ministry. However, the Government argued that rationalizing agencies like UCDA aligns with its strategy to cut redundant expenditures and improve public service delivery.