UCDA MD, Emmanuel Iyamulemye (L) gives a coffee sample to Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua (R) at Lugogo lab
The Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua has accepted the request by Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) to becomes its coffee Ambassador for Northern Uganda. He will therefore popularize the growing of the cash crop in the region which is traditionally not know for coffee farming.
Obua was Tuesday morning visiting the UCDA laboratory in Lugogo, Kampala.
During the visit, the UCDA Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, said that Northern Uganda has great potential to boost Uganda’s coffee production.
It is at this point that the UCDA Iyamulemye said: “Through you Sir and with permission from my team, I appoint you to be the ambassador of coffee in Northern Uganda so that we go and do a big job in Northern Uganda and launch a coffee program. We want to organize our extension workers to offer technical support in Northern Uganda.”
Iyamulemye described coffee as very democratic, noting that many political leaders are looking at coffee as an avenue to lift Ugandans out of poverty.
“In Parliament, in Kyankwanzi, we have always been promoting coffee there. Every Member of Parliament is now looking at coffee as an instrument to tackle poverty. We have been providing seedlings to MPs to distribute to their constituents… During COVID-19, whereas tourism and other sectors were all closed, coffee was the only lifeline for the country,” Dr. Iyamulemye said.
He pledged total support to see to it that Northern Uganda embraces coffee growing.
“I have lived in the North more than I have lived in the South West where I come from… I will do the best I can to support your cause in Northern Uganda and specifically Alebtong as a district,” Dr. Iyamulemye said.
Speaking to UCDA staff, Obua said the talk in both the United States and the United Kingdom is about Ugandan athletes and coffee.
“I am two weeks fresh after returning from the Birmingham games in the UK. Besides sports, there is talk about our coffee, implying that Ugandan coffee is a good product within and without Uganda. There is no doubt about that. I am two weeks old both from the US and UK. So, the discussion about Ugandan coffee out there is fresh in my mind,” Obua said.
He said he comes from a non-traditional coffee growing area – Lango (9 districts and a city), but, “I am getting persuaded to grow coffee. Maybe I start on a small scale but I think the greatest motivation and inspiration came from the various preaching from His Excellency the President. He has always talked about coffee as an enterprise that transforms the community.”
He also hinted on the much talked about merger of government agencies.
“Come rain or sunshine, you (UCDA) will still remain relevant in our contemporary Uganda in order to promote our coffee. I don’t think as a scientist you should really be worried that your jobs are getting off. We need you more than you need the country. The country needs scientists more than you need the country. Because without you, people would consume what has not gone through an experimental test, and the end result is always stomach cancer, throat cancer and because you are here, you help us in doing due diligence,” he said.
Obua said his visit to UCDA was to gather evidence.
“This is an evidence based mission. Seeing is believing. Even in legislation under the commonwealth practice, we talk about pre and post legislative scrutiny. So, we will support you where we can. Where you need me, I am at your service to join your line minister in Cabinet to support the need for the country to be transformed, including introducing coffee to the non-traditional coffee growing areas,” Obua said.
Obua said he’s committed to be a Coffee Ambassador for Northern Uganda and help popularise the cash crop.
“I want to take the lead (for coffee growing) for Lango. We need to start that journey, I am ready. Why must we have only a demonstration farm for the President in Otuke and even the people in Otuke are not growing coffee. You can bank on me in advancing the need for Ugandans to embrace coffee,” Obua said.
