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

Published 2024년 11월 7일

Tridge summary

The Ugandan government plans to dissolve the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) under its Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) initiative to reduce redundancy and improve efficiency. The UCDA has been pivotal in managing Uganda's coffee industry, including quality certification and international promotion. This proposal has sparked debate, with critics like Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi emphasizing the importance of UCDA's independence and expertise, and expressing doubts about the Ministry of Agriculture's capability to manage the sector. Additionally, the Coffee Amendment Bill, which proposes an auction system for marketing, is controversial. While the government argues these changes will boost efficiency and competitiveness, stakeholders worry it could weaken Uganda's position in the global coffee market and negatively impact small-scale farmers. The bill awaits presidential approval, leaving the industry's future uncertain.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

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 ...

Source: All Africa