Frank Tumwebaze
Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister for Agriculture, addressing journalists at Uganda Media Centre/UMC photo
Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) is continuing its operations such as inspections, enforcement, farmer registration, export certification, and sensitization despite its impending merger with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister for Agriculture made the revelation on Tuesday morning while addressing the media at Uganda Media Centre on the continuity of services in the coffee sub-sector, farmer registration in compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and measures for coffee quality assurance.
He noted that despite pending Bills awaiting assent, the existing laws governing the coffee sub-sector remain effective, with UCDA continuing to operate normally.
On 6th November 2024, Parliament passed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024 mainstreaming UCDA into MAAIF.
Tumwebaze said once the President assents to the bill and the effective dates are designated, all the functions of UCDA will be transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture.
“I would, therefore, like to assure coffee stakeholders that at the moment, UCDA is operating normally, and even after the bill is assented to, there will be service continuity in the Ministry. There will be no disruptions,” he said.
149,626 farmers and 163,904 farms registered
On 1st October 2024, Government launched the National Coffee Value Chain actors’ registration program. Tumwebaze says the registration is crucial for maintaining access to international markets, upholding local laws, and ensuring sustainable practices.
“As of 12th November 2024, we had registered 149,626 farmers and 163,904 farms. Each registered farmer has received a card with their personal details including a unique identifying number and the details about the farm(s),” he said, adding: “These cards as well as the certificates and licenses issued by UCDA to coffee stakeholders will remain valid for the prescribed duration despite the dissolution of the agency.”
The Minister says he has noted with great concern that since the passing of the coffee amendment bill, farmers are carrying out poor practices such as harvesting green coffee cherries.
“Such practices are not only illegal but also derail our efforts in enhancing the quality and credibility of our coffee. I urge all our stakeholders to maintain the good agriculture practices so that we maintain the good standards of Ugandan coffee,” he said adding that MAAIF remains dedicated to supporting all actors in the coffee value chain.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition and continued growth in the sector. Our goal remains unchanged: to produce high-quality coffee, support our coffee stakeholders, and strengthen Uganda’s position in the global coffee market,” he said, adding: “Together, we can navigate this transition and continue to build a robust future for Uganda’s coffee industry.”
But all in all the PULA is trying to keep it’s promise.the contract was signed, people are getting transport
The Field agents registering the farmers have not been paid by the contracted data collection farm (PULA).
The number of farms on ground should have been more than what is being reported but enumerators are only registering one farm because the data collection contractor had initially promised to pay wages per farm registered then they changed their word claiming that the farms don’t exist.
FYI non of the field coordinators has been to the field since we began work on the 21st of November.
They don’t even know which parishes are on ground.
The survey has placed parishes in sub-counties where they don’t belong.
Enumerators were promised appointment letters in vain. When the one of the enumerators asked about contracts and the promised wages, he was fired.
A Field coordinator threatened to fire whoever puts him to task to explain why the company isn’t keeping its promises.
We need immediate access to the farmers as field agents required