UCDA, OWC join hands to ensure quality coffee

PIC: Ntungamo Coffee Hullers Association chairman George Kashereka addressing the meeting at Kyahweire Tourist Hotel.(Credit: Rwambuka Mugisha)

By Rwambuka Mugisha

AGRICULTURE

NTUNGAMO - Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has joined hands with Ntungamo district Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) to ensure that high quality coffee is produced in the district.

Brig. Tumwebaze John-Okello, the Ntungamo OWC boss, flanked by UCDA officials warned coffee hullers and processors against disregarding the laws governing producing coffee, something that has resulted in production of poor quality coffee.

Tumwebaze made the remarks during the Ntungamo Coffee Hullers Association meeting at Kyahweire Tourist Hotel in Ntungamo.

Robert Tumwesigye, the UCDA western regional co-ordinator, said most of the coffee dealers and factory owners buy and process row coffee.

He noted that Ntungamo is ranking high among districts that deal in poor quality, something which has to stop.

Tumwesigye also warned coffee factory owners to follow the UCDA set standards and put up permanent structures, He added that those who do not comply would be penalised and have their licenses cancelled.

Tumwesigye also urged the coffee dealers to promote the high quality so that it can maintain its market as it is exported outside Uganda.

Tumwebaze in the district warned that those hullers who are after money without, disregarding the quality of coffee would be arrested.

Ntungamo resident district commissioner Justine Mbabazi gave coffee dealers and factory owners an ultimatum of four moths to put up permanent structures.

The enforcement comes after President Yoweri Museveni warned that coffee dealers found compromising the quality of coffee would be arrested because coffee is among the Uganda's major cash crops, whose quality should be upheld.