Parliament yesterday passed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024 amid harsh words, blows and suspensions.
During the debate Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake was turned into a punching bag by Kilak MP, Anthony Akol after the two legislators fought over a chair.
In the ensuing fracas, Zaake was rushed to Nsambya Hospital while at least 10 MPs were suspended from the House for three sittings.
The bill seeks to integrate the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the ministry of Agriculture.
The government justified the bill as a move to streamline public spending and reduce redundant administrative structures.
Yet those who opposed it said it would make UCDA less efficient and affect the production of coffee, Uganda’s leading cash crop.
The passage of the bill was marked by delays and objections from some opposition legislators, with members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) staging a walkout in protest earlier before the item even came on the Floor.
Nandala-Mafabi (FDC, Budadiri West) argued that dissolving UCDA would disrupt a sector critical to Uganda’s economy proposing a three-year delay to ensure a smooth transition.
“I want to make an amendment that the commencement of this Act shall be after three years. The justification is to give it time for the process of dissolution,” Mafabi stated.
Moses Okot (FDC, Kioga County) also expressed caution suggesting a grace period to allow the ministry to be fully prepared to manage coffee sector responsibilities effectively.
“The coffee sector should be dealt with a lot of caution. I am associating myself with the decision that if this House is to decide to rationalise, coffee should be given a grace period to grow at least two or three years until the ministry is up to date to move on,” he said.
The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka defended the integration emphasising that merging UCDA with the ministry of Agriculture would improve coordination, reduce duplication and enhance efficiency.
He insisted that, once the Bill is gazetted, the transfer of UCDA’s responsibilities should proceed immediately, aligning with the Cabinet’s RAPEX policy approved in 2021.
The National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was first read on September 24, 2024 and subsequently, referred to the committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for scrutiny.
Linda Auma, the chairperson of the Agriculture Committee supported the merger, acknowledging the challenges but deeming the transition necessary for the coffee sector’s future.
Her committee report aligned with the government’s merger goal but recommended a three-year transitional period to prevent disruptions in the coffee value chain.
The Leader of the Opposition,Joel Ssenyonyi led the Opposition out of the House before the processing of the Bill
In a minority report, Abed Bwanika (NUP, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division) cautioned against rapid implementation, proposing a five-year grace period to allow the ministry of Agriculture to establish the necessary systems.
He argued that a rushed merger could jeopardise Uganda’s coffee export accreditation, essential for international competitiveness and cited failures in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia as cautionary examples.
The Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze reassured Parliament that existing permits, licenses and certifications issued by UCDA would remain valid under the new structure, ensuring continuity for coffee producers and exporters.
Addressing staff concerns, Tumwebaze said that UCDA employees might be absorbed into the public service.
“With your support, we shall ensure that our laboratories remain accredited and our research continues to raise Uganda’s coffee profile globally,” he added.
