Parliament of Uganda has handed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024 integrating the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
This transfer is a part of the federal government’s Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) coverage geared toward streamlining public spending and decreasing redundant administrative buildings.
Despite fierce opposition and intensive debates in current months, the Bill was accepted throughout the plenary sitting on Wednesday, 06 November 2024.
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 earlier than the merchandise even got here on the Floor.
During the consideration of the Bill, Hon. Nandala-Mafabi (FDC, Budadiri County West) argued that dissolving UCDA would disrupt a sector crucial to Uganda’s financial system proposing a three-year delay to make sure a easy transition.
“I need to make an modification that the graduation of this Act shall be after three years. The justification is to provide it time for the method of dissolution,” Nandala Mafabi acknowledged.
Hon. Moses Okot (FDC, Kioga County) additionally expressed warning suggesting a grace interval to permit the ministry to be absolutely ready to handle espresso sector duties successfully.
“The espresso sector must be handled a whole lot of warning. I’m associating myself with the choice that if this House is to resolve to rationalise, espresso must be given a grace interval to develop no less than two or three years till the ministry is updated to maneuver on,” he stated.
However, this proposal was rejected.
The Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka defended the mixing emphasising that merging UCDA with MAAIF would enhance coordination, scale back duplication and improve effectivity.
He insisted that, as soon as the Bill is gazetted, the switch of UCDA’s duties ought to proceed instantly, aligning with the Cabinet’s RAPEX coverage accepted in 2021.
The National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was first learn on 24 September 2024 and subsequently, referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for scrutiny.
The Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Rwamirama argued throughout the Second Reading in October that restructuring UCDA as a division inside MAAIF would streamline operations, minimize administrative prices and eradicate, ‘bloated buildings and purposeful ambiguities’.
Hon. Linda Auma, Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee supported the merger, acknowledging the challenges however deeming the transition mandatory for the espresso sector’s future.
Her committee report aligned with the federal government’s merger objective however advisable a three-year transitional interval to stop disruptions within the espresso worth chain.
In a minority report, Hon. Abed Bwanika (NUP, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division) cautioned towards fast implementation, proposing a five-year grace interval to permit MAAIF to ascertain the mandatory programs.
He argued {that a} rushed merger may jeopardise Uganda’s espresso export accreditation, important for worldwide competitiveness and cited failures in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia as cautionary examples.
Parliament had initially handed the invoice, but it surely was returned by President Yoweri Museveni who raised issues from coffee-growing areas like Bugisu and Buganda, whose MPs opposed the mixing.
Speaker Anita Among referred the invoice again to the Agriculture Committee for additional consultations with the MPs encouraging lawmakers to stability authorities effectivity with farmers’ livelihoods, a lot of whom depend on UCDA’s help.
Following these consultations, the Cabinet initially endorsed a three-year transition for the merger however later backtracked after a caucus assembly involving key lawmakers.
The Minister of Agriculture Hon. Frank Tumwebaze reassured Parliament that present permits, licenses and certifications issued by UCDA would stay legitimate underneath the brand new construction, guaranteeing continuity for espresso producers and exporters.
Addressing workers issues, Tumwebaze stated that UCDA staff may be absorbed into the general public service.
During his remarks after the passing of the invoice, he emphasised MAAIF’s dedication to enhancing the espresso worth chain, assuring MPs that the ministry would keep UCDA’s work in producing high-quality espresso varieties.
“With your help, we will be certain that our laboratories stay accredited and our analysis continues to boost Uganda’s espresso profile globally,” he added.
In a symbolic present of consensus in October, Speaker Among subjected the Bill to a Division Lobby (headcount vote), the place 159 MPs supported the invoice, whereas 77 opposed it.
The UCDA established in 1991 underneath the Uganda Coffee Development Authority Act regulated Uganda’s espresso worth chain, supported analysis and maximised earnings for stakeholders.
Coffee, a significant export for Uganda, generated substantial nationwide income, and UCDA’s function was central to this success.
