President Yoweri Museveni has assented to the National Coffee Act, 2021, creating a new chapter for the coffee sector in the country.

The President assented to the Act on August 13, 2021, and on September 13, 2021, the Act was gazetted under supplement Act No. 17.

In a statement on Tuesday, Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) welcomed the new law, saying “it marks a new chapter for the coffee sector in Uganda.”

On September 2, the clerk to parliament, Adolf Mwesige, sent copies of the assented to Act to; the Chief Justice (Alphonse Owiny-Dollo), the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Frank Tumwebaze), the First Parliamentary Counsel and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

Parliament passed the National Coffee Bill 2018 on August 5, 2020, with some amendments, and has since been waiting for the President to assent to it.

The Act repeals and replaces the UCDA Act, Cap. 325 enacted 29 years ago, which does not meet the current needs and long-term goals of farmers or Government.