The Buganda Kingdom has called for increased support for Uganda’s coffee industry, advocating for sustainable investments in local farmers and raising concerns over government policies that may negatively impact the coffee sector, which supports millions of Ugandans.
In a recent statement, Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) of Buganda, urged the government to bolster the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), a critical agency that aids local farmers in maximizing both coffee quality and production yields.
The Emmwanyi Terimba Initiative, established by the Buganda Kingdom in 2016, emerged from the region’s dedication to reducing poverty following the 2013–2016 Ettoffaali Drive.
Recognizing the potential of Uganda’s coffee sector, the initiative sought to boost local coffee farmers’ productivity by partnering with the UCDA, which provided 10 million seedlings and technical guidance.
According to Mayiga, this collaboration significantly improved crop quality and quantity, setting a precedent for the transformative impact of well-funded agricultural programs.
However, Uganda faces challenges in realizing full value of its coffee exports. Many Ugandan coffee beans are sold unprocessed, lowering potential earnings compared to value-added products like freshly ground coffee.
Mayiga highlighted how Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s largest coffee producers, also export “kase” (unprocessed coffee), since high-demand markets in Europe and the United States prefer to consume freshly ground coffee.
Despite Uganda’s unique flavours and quality, much of its coffee still enters the global market as a lower-value commodity.
In recent years, government attempts to exert greater control over Uganda’s coffee industry have sparked controversy.
Among these measures, the Coffee Bill of 2024 contained clauses that alarmed local farmers, including potential jail time for abandoning a coffee farm.
Additionally, a 2019 agreement with Italian investor Enrica Pennetti granted exclusive rights within Uganda’s coffee sector, effectively centralizing the value chain and creating potential barriers for local farmers and cooperatives.
The recently proposed UCDA (Amendment) Bill 2024, which seeks to dissolve the UCDA altogether, has drawn further criticism from stakeholders, with the Katikkiro questioning the motivations behind these policies.
“These manoeuvres point to unclear motives, more so when the stakeholders’ views are not respected,” said Mayiga.
Looking ahead, the Buganda Kingdom emphasizes the need for a cooperative approach to managing Uganda’s coffee industry.
By strengthening the UCDA and investing in programs that promote value addition and innovative coffee bi-products, the government can help secure a stable and prosperous future for Uganda’s coffee farmers and preserve the livelihoods that rely on this vital sector.
