President Museveni signs National Coffee Bill into law

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has signed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, into law, the Presidential Press Unit (PPU) has announced.

According to Monday's press release, the President assented to the bill on December 20, 2024.

The new law integrates the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, aligning with the government’s Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) policy.

The policy aims to streamline public spending by reducing redundant administrative structures.

Parliament passed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill last month following heated debates and delays.

Opposition lawmakers from coffee-growing regions such as Bugisu and Buganda initially resisted the move, citing concerns over the impact on farmers who have long relied on UCDA’s support.

Some MPs even staged a walkout, but the bill was approved during a plenary sitting on November 6, 2024.

Initially, President Museveni returned the Bill to Parliament, requesting further consultations to address concerns raised by MPs from affected regions.

Speaker Anita Among referred the legislation back to the Agriculture Committee, encouraging lawmakers to balance the government’s need for efficiency with the livelihoods of coffee farmers.

Established in 1991, UCDA played a crucial role in regulating Uganda’s coffee value chain, supporting research, and maximising earnings for stakeholders.