UCDA, three other agencies officially hand over to agriculture ministry

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) officially absorbed the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and three other agencies during a handover event at the ministry headquarters in Entebbe Municipality on Thursday.

The other three agencies are the Cotton Development Organisation (CDO), National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS), and the Dairy Development Authority (DDA). The function was presided over by MAAIF’s Permanent Secretary, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama.

Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) Permanent Secretary, Maj Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama speaking to the heads of the rationalised agencies before they handed over. (Photo by Hannington Mutabazi)

“When the Government started the rationalisation campaign, there were a lot of issues about abolishing this and the other. Nothing is being abolished; we are rationalising. Rationalisation arises from the fact that we have been using resources in an illogical way,” Kasura noted.

He assured the executive directors of these agencies and their staff that they were not going to lose their jobs but rather incorporate them within the ministry.

“We are not losing any asset. There is no intention for MAAIF to discard any of its assets; we are not going to lose any of the staff that is critical to the running of this organisation,” Kasura emphasised.

Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) Permanent Secretary, Maj Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama speaking to the heads of the rationalised agencies before they handed over. (Photo by Hannington Mutabazi)

He conceded that although the agencies were being rationalised, they had largely played their role since their establishment, which has improved the agriculture sector.

"I think Uganda was producing 2.8 million, 60kg bags of coffee, today we are producing 9 million, 60kg bags. In terms of milk production, Uganda used to produce around 250 million litres per year, but now we are producing over 5 billion litres annually. The CDO played a vital role in reviving the struggling cotton sector, while NAADS has contributed to improving extension services, the dissemination of agricultural technologies, and the distribution of seedlings and machinery," he stated.

“Why is it necessary to rationalise?” he asked. He responded by saying, “The very idea of rationalisation is what we need to consider. These organisations have existed for a long time and have done valuable work, but their time has come to an end. We need to reduce government costs.”

The first agency to hand over was CDO, represented by Damalie Lubwama, the Production and Market Information Manager. (Photo by Hannington Mutabazi)

He emphasised that the government must become more efficient, noting that many tasks currently performed by these organisations could be done more effectively using alternative methods.

Handing over

After PS Kasura's speech, the handover process began. The first agency to hand over was CDO, represented by Damalie Lubwama, the Production and Market Information Manager. She spoke on behalf of CDO's Managing Director, Jolly Sabune, who was unable to attend due to illness.

NAADS Executive Director Dr. Samuel Mugasi presenting a summary of a more detailed report about the agency's assets and liabilities. (Photo by Hannington Mutabazi)

NAADS Executive Director Dr Samuel Mugasi followed suit, taking the stage to present a summary of a more detailed report about the agency's assets and liabilities. He promised that they would work with the ministry so that there would be a smooth transition.

DDA Executive Director Samson Mpiira Akankiza provided a brief history of the organisation and its assets during the handover. He noted that they had been collaborating closely with MAAIF and concluded his remarks by thanking the management and staff of DDA, and also acknowledged the support rendered to the agency by the ministry.

The Executive Director of the DDA, Samson Mpiira Akankiza, presenting a summary of DDA's report during the handover at MAAIF head offices. (Photo by Hannington Mutabazi)

The last organisation to hand over was UCDA, with the handover report presented by Eunice Kabibi, the Board Secretary and Director of Legal Services, representing UCDA’s Managing Director, Dr Emmanuel Iyamulemye.

Verifying handover reports

After presenting their reports, Kasura said he had set up a committee headed by MAAIF Under-Secretary Ronald Ssegawa to verify the handover reports, adding the committee would involve internal audit and members from other ministry departments.

Eunice Kabibi, the Board Secretary and Director of Legal Services UCDA presenting their report on behalf of the agency's Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye. (Photo by Hannington Mutabazi)

He said the task of the committee was to review and validate the assets of various agencies, including properties and investments, adding that the goal is to ensure transparency and accountability in managing Uganda's assets and finances, without abruptly terminating any contracts or agreements until the verification process is complete.

Employment offer

He confirmed that they were going to handle terminal benefits of the staff of all the agencies, adding that all critical staff would be offered employment, but it would be up to them to accept or refuse.

“In other words, you know, even me, in order to renew my contract, I have to be re-interviewed. So you'll be interviewed for suitability to continue employment. Of course, there are going to be some logical things,” he said.

Executive directors and their staff pose for a photo with the PS agriculture ministry Maj Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama. (Photo by Hannington Mutabazi)

“In the coming weeks, we will have a structure in place. However, there needs to be a process to incorporate people into this structure. Once that process is completed, we will move on to harmonising and incorporating you into the structure. We have submitted our proposal to the Ministry of Public Service, and I think we have agreed on the proposed structure.”