Robert Kyagulanyi, president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has condemned the proposed National Coffee (Amendment) Bill 2024, claiming it is intended to punish coffee growers who voted against President Museveni in the 2021 election.
Kyagulanyi alleges that the Museveni administration’s justification for cutting costs is unfounded, arguing that farmers support the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) due to its positive impact on the coffee sector.
“This bill is aimed at punishing the people of Bugisu and Buganda for voting against Museveni. They’re targeting all potential sources of income to stifle opposition supporters financially,” Kyagulanyi emphasized.
The bill, which has sparked a nationwide debate, proposes to dissolve the UCDA and transfer its functions to the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the government’s policy to streamline public agencies and reduce spending.
Addressing supporters at the NUP headquarters in Kavule on Monday, Kyagulanyi criticized the bill’s proponents, suggesting they have ulterior motives to undermine coffee farmers.
On Thursday last week social media buzzed with a video showing Speaker Among consulting privately with the clerk on the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill 2024. Certain commentators claimed that the speaker made the statement, “Make sure those Baganda don’t get numbers…” – a phrase that has since sparked accusations of tribalism.
Proponents of the bill argue it aligns with the government’s Rationalization of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) policy, adopted by the Cabinet in 2021, which aims to reduce redundancies and public expenditure.
Buganda Caucus chairperson, Muwanga Kivumbi, strongly opposed the bill, insisting that coffee is too vital to fall under a generalized ministry portfolio.
He called on Speaker Among to apologize to the people of Buganda, for her recent remarks suggesting she should resign if she fails to address their concerns.
“If she refuses to apologize, we may take a stand that Parliament cannot proceed with any business until this issue is resolved,” Kivumbi warned.
Kivumbi also responded to accusations of tribalism, asserting that President Museveni lacks moral standing to make such claims. “Our stance on this matter remains unchanged,” he said.
In a weekend statement, Museveni defended the bill, noting that several agencies were established during economically challenging times to attract specialized talent. However, he argued that the evolving economy requires reassessment of their roles, particularly agencies like NAADS and UCDA, which he claims have failed to transition rural households to a cash economy.
The party leadership also unveiled it’s comrade Sultana Salim (Tana) as the official flag bearer in the Kisoro woman MP by election.
Furthermore, they noted that the NUP Countrywide Tour shall resume in the coming week in the Eastern region.
