FDC Criticizes Proposed UCDA Merger, Claims Risks to Uganda’s Booming Coffee Sector

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party has strongly criticized a parliamentary proposal to merge the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), calling the move a threat to the thriving coffee sector.

The controversial “Rappex Bill,” which passed its first reading with 159 votes in favor and 77 against, aims to integrate UCDA under MAAIF, a shift that FDC argues could jeopardize recent successes in Uganda’s coffee industry.

During the parliamentary session, Linda Auma, Lira District Woman MP, presented the majority report favoring the merger, arguing it would streamline agricultural resources. However, FDC, alongside some opposition MPs, voiced significant concerns, citing UCDA’s critical role in boosting coffee exports to a record-breaking $1.14 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year—the highest revenue in three decades.

“The Ministry of Agriculture has a history of mismanagement, from the fishing industry to animal husbandry,” Mulindwa Walid Lubega, FDC deputy secretary for publicity-publication stated.

“If it couldn’t manage these sectors effectively, what hope is there for our thriving coffee industry?” FDC warned that transferring UCDA’s responsibilities to MAAIF risks undermining the expertise that has driven Uganda’s global coffee reputation and increased farmer earnings.

Mulindwa Walid Lubega also noted the potential impact on UCDA’s specialized programs, including farmer registration, geo-location, and traceability initiatives crucial for coffee quality control.

“Merging UCDA with MAAIF could dilute the expertise and focus needed to support Uganda’s coffee farmers,” Mulindwa Walid Lubega argued, adding that UCDA’s independence has been instrumental in securing international market demand and higher prices for Ugandan coffee beans.

Asinansi Nyakato, Hoima City Woman MP, presented a minority report opposing the merger, emphasizing that UCDA’s dedicated focus on coffee quality has been pivotal to Uganda’s coffee sector growth. “Reducing UCDA to a mere department within the Ministry could hinder its achievements and compromise farmer income,” Nyakato remarked.

The FDC urged Parliament and the executive, urging them to prioritize farmer and stakeholder interests over administrative mergers, particularly for an industry that employs over 12.5 million Ugandans and contributes significantly to the economy.