Uganda's coffee sector faces uncertain future as UCDA set to be dissolved

Uganda's coffee industry is facing a period of change as the government prepares to dissolve the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), sparking a heated debate in Parliament and among the public. This move is part of the government's Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) initiative, aimed at reducing redundancy and improving efficiency across state agencies. However, the potential impact on Uganda's coffee sector a key source of national income has many worried. For years, the UCDA has been vital to the stability and growth of Uganda's coffee industry, overseeing roles such as certifying coffee quality, registering marketers, collecting and managing data, tracking international price trends, and promoting Ugandan coffee worldwide. The UCDA has helped align coffee policies with broader economic goals, offering government advice on pricing and fostering expertise in coffee processing. Many farmers and exporters believe the UCDA has successfully ...