Opposition legislators have pledged to stand firm in support of Uganda’s coffee farmers as Parliament prepares for a heated debate on the National Coffee Amendment Bill, 2024.
The bill, which proposes the dissolution of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), has stirred tension and prompted warnings of potential arrests by security forces.
Leader of the Opposition ,Joel Ssenyonyi addressed the media at Parliament today, condemning what he described as the government’s attempt to taint the debate with tribal and partisan rhetoric aimed at sowing division among Ugandans.
He emphasized the importance of economic empowerment for coffee farmers and criticized the bill as detrimental to their welfare.
“If the President is serious about cutting down on Government expenses, why does he always create new districts and new constituencies as we head for elections? Why does he have a bloated Cabinet? Why are there so many Presidential Advisors? Why do we have so many RDCs, Deputy RDCs, and now Assistant Deputy RDCs?” the Opposition leader questioned.
He went on to accuse the government of misleading the public with its narrative of fiscal responsibility. “That isn’t true, that is a lie, stop fooling the people of Uganda. I want to challenge the President—stop preaching water and then drinking wine,” he asserted.
The upcoming debate is expected to be contentious as legislators from across the political spectrum grapple with the implications of dismantling the UCDA. Supporters of the bill argue that merging the UCDA with other agricultural bodies could streamline operations and reduce public expenditures.
However, critics, including opposition members, argue that such a move would undermine the coffee sector, one of Uganda’s key economic pillars, and leave farmers vulnerable.