Parliament has passed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, leading to the dissolution of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).
The Bill, passed by a vote of 305 Members of Parliament, signals a shift in regulatory oversight for Uganda’s coffee industry.
However, the vote took place without much of the opposition present, as opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi led a walkout earlier in the day following a heated session in Parliament.
Before the walkout, Ssenyonyi condemned the actions of security personnel who allegedly manhandled opposition legislators and removed journalists from the press gallery, confining them to the conference hall.
Addressing the Speaker, Ssenyonyi emphasized the need to “protect the sanctity” of the parliamentary proceedings, criticizing what he viewed as heavy-handed tactics.
The dissolution of UCDA, however, will not be immediate. A transitional period of three years has been outlined in the Bill to ensure an orderly handover of regulatory functions.
Parliament also introduced a requirement for the Agriculture Minister to present new coffee sector regulations within six months of the Act’s commencement, signaling continued parliamentary oversight of Uganda’s coffee sub-sector.
Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze expressed enthusiasm following the Bill’s passage, assuring MPs and the public that his ministry is committed to advancing Uganda’s coffee sector.
“With Parliament’s support, we will work to develop the coffee value chain, maintain international market access, and keep laboratories operational,” Tumwebaze said, highlighting coffee as one of Uganda’s most valuable commodities.
This amendment represents a major shift in Uganda’s coffee industry, as the government aims to streamline and enhance the regulatory environment for the country’s top agricultural export.