UCDA suspends coffee processing in Busoga

Sep 08, 2014

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has suspended coffee processing in Busoga, citing improper handling practices by the farmers.

By Moses Bikala

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has suspended coffee processing in Busoga, citing improper handling practices by the farmers.


Edmun Kananura, the UCDA quality and regulation manager, said Robusta coffee from Busoga region was bad and was most likely to affect the sale of Uganda’s coffee on the international market.

Kananura said processing and harvesting of coffee in Busoga would only commence after September.

“But farmers must first assure me that they will not use bad practices of harvesting, drying and storage,,” he said while addressing coffee farmers from the 10 districts of Busoga at Ntinda View Hotel in Iganga town.

Kananura revealed that since the beginning of the year, 15 tonnes of sub-standard coffee from Busoga have been destroyed.

He explained that most farmers in the area harvest green coffee berries, then dry it on bare ground, which results in sub-standard coffee.

Kananura warned that any coffee processing factory that refuses to comply with the suspension, risks having its licence cancelled.

He noted that weak laws regarding coffee harvesting have contributed to the decline in the quality of coffee in some parts of the country.

Kananura said 23 people have been arrested and charged, in the courts in Busoga, for selling substandard coffee.

He said proper methods of harvesting lead to increased productivity and the harvest fetches better prices in addition to building confidence of the buyers.

Bernard Sabiiti, the chairman Uganda Coffee Traders and processors Association, said the suspension of coffee processing in Busoga region will ensure improved quality of the produce from the area.

Sabiiti said all efforts to stop the bad practices had failed because the farmers and traders connived.

Sabiiti also said sometimes thieves also steal immature coffee from farmers’ gardens at night, for sale.

William Kyozira, a farmer from Ibulanku sub-county, Iganga district said UCDA should have sought other alternative means of punishing errant farmers instead of victimising all of them.

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