A day before the meeting, coffee farmers from Bugisu sub-region joined the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) elders forum to voice their opposition to the bill. “On behalf of Bugisu coffee farmers and the youth, we oppose the merger of UCDA with the Ministry of Agriculture,” said Professor Kiboma Gimui, Chairman of the BCU Elders Forum. “Without UCDA oversight, international buyers may refuse to accept BCU coffee.”

Mr Nathan Mabongo, treasurer of the BCU, said: “The government’s insistence on passing this bill (means) there must be a hidden agenda. » Mr Trimlet Muweleza, the young chairman of Mbale Industrial City Division, made it clear that they “plan to present a petition to Parliament on this issue next week.” Before attending yesterday’s closed-door meeting in Kisozi, Bubulo East (Independent) lawmaker John Musila told the Saturday Monitor that he intended to dissuade President Museveni from streamlining the UCDA . “I hope the intelligence services of this country are doing their job (in providing President Museveni with information about the coffee),” said Mr Musila, who is also vice-president of the BCU.

Defending the UCDA, Professor Kiboma explained that coffee is central to the culture and livelihood of the Bamasaba people. “If the UCDA is not there, it means our tribe will also suffer. UCDA has played a vital role in supporting BCU’s coffee business since its relaunch in 2005.” Without UCDA certification, Professor Kiboma is convinced that international buyers will reject BCU coffee and that the entity will summarily lose its export license. UCDA’s role extends to certifying organic coffee for European markets, providing quality agricultural inputs, monitoring the coffee value chain and identifying new markets.

The chairman of the BCU Elders Forum argued that while the UCDA may have some weaknesses, it would be more effective to address them directly than to merge it with the Ministry of Agriculture. “Other countries like Kenya, Brazil, Vietnam, Ethiopia and Tanzania have independent coffee boards that support their coffee industries.

If these nations see the value of specialized institutions, why Uganda? The 2024 census established that Bugisu sub-region relies heavily on Arabica coffee as a cash crop. For the new season, BCU has fixed coffee prices between Shs11,500 and Shs12,000 per kilogram.

The prices, which include transport and commission charges, have been well received by farmers. “As young people who have benefited from coffee, we must ensure that our voices are heard and put an end to this coffee bill,” Mr James Wadada, a youth leader, told The Saturday Monitor.

BCU holds a certificate of registration as a coffee exporter in Uganda. The registration certificate authorizing BCU to export coffee was renewed on October 1. It allows the union to “sell coffee using a competitive bidding system, auctions, contracts or direct sales involving reputable traders in any international market.” It states that “coffee sold by BCU will be transported from the factory to Mombasa, or Entebbe, or Dar-es-Salaam for shipment and the coffee will be transported using the most efficient means.”

It also allows BCU to “purchase coffee from other processors in Uganda and export it as specified in the necessary quality certificate and transport permit”. Coffee has been grown in Bugisu for over a century, and records indicate that Arabica coffee was introduced to the sub-region by British colonialists in the early 1900s. Local residents of Bugisu quickly adopted the cultivation of coffee. coffee, integrating it into their existing agricultural practices. BCU, a central plank Records show that the Bugisu programme, the predecessor of the BCU, was the first attempt to commercialize coffee (Arabica) in the country outside of Buganda and was established in 1931.

The project assets were transferred to the Bugisu Cooperative Societies, who then established the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU), officially registered in 1954. Mr. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the current Chairman of the BCU, is at a loss for words kind to the NRM government. Mr Mafabi said current government policies hinder the economic progress of farmers and aim to perpetuate poverty.

Mr Mafabi, who is also Budadiri West MP (FDC), said there are reform policies that would better support UCDA and the coffee sector as a whole. He made the remarks during a four-hour discussion moderated by Mr. Robert Kabushenga, a prominent coffee producer, on X Space. During the interface, Mr. Mafabi, a prominent advocate of the Ugandan coffee sector, provided insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Ugandan coffee producers, particularly those from Bugisu, a major supplier to the global market coffee.

“International certification for organic farming is a crucial but costly requirement, costing about Sh1 million per farmer. This certification allows Bugisu coffee to meet global standards, attracting buyers like Meru Coffee, which operates in Mbale to purchase and process the coffee directly,” Mr Mafabi revealed. He stressed that UCDA is a self-sustaining entity that contributes significantly to Uganda’s treasury and is crucial to the coffee industry.

“Coffee is the second most traded commodity after oil. I believe dismantling the UCDA would harm the Ugandan coffee sector, especially since UCDA certification is globally recognized and guarantees quality. Transferring this role to the Ministry of Agriculture would risk losing focus and jeopardizing the progress made by UCDA,” he said. The pride of Bugisu, Bishop Samuel Waburaha, echoed these sentiments, saying UCDA has made substantial contributions to the coffee sector since its inception. He said the government should focus on strengthening the UCDA rather than dismantling it.

“Coffee is our pride in Masaba country. Masaba coffee, combined with that of Buganda, helped Uganda gain independence in 1962. Coffee supported the livelihoods of Bugisu, leading the BCU to build schools like Masaba Secondary School in Sironko district, Teso College Aloet in Soroti town and Bukedi College Kachonga (BCK). in Butaleja district. Coffee is our backbone and if you remove it, you erase our heritage,” he said.

Mr Mabonga recognized the achievements of UCDA in improving the quality of Ugandan coffee. “Even though UCDA has a limited number of extension officers, increasing the number would be more beneficial than merging it with the ministry,” Mr Mabonga said. Mr Mabonga reminded the government that BCU contributed $300,000 to Uganda’s independence through its coffee programme. He urged members of Parliament to oppose the merger and called on President Museveni to heed their calls. Mr. Eddy Wanambwa, the Director of the BCU, has called on Parliament to consult stakeholders on the merger of the institution.

“We, the Bamasaba people, depend on coffee as a cash crop, and we have shown the president strong political support in Masaba land. We ask him not to neglect our voices,” he said. Success story of cooperatives Mr. Mafabi, who is also secretary general of FDC (Najjanakumbi), questioned the government’s management of cooperatives, citing the downfall of many of them due to mismanagement. He stressed that authentic cooperatives must grow organically, rooted in local communities.

“In Bugisu, the region’s cooperative system began in Bumasifa, and today, the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) represents 299 member companies, managed by clear management and succession plans,” Mr. Mafabi. He described BCU as one of the most successful Saccos in Uganda, adding that it ensures farmers have continued access to funds.

The BCU, Mr Mafabi continued, invests in community infrastructure, such as churches and mosques, and sponsors around 400 university students per year, with direct payments to institutions to ensure transparency. Mr. Emma Bwayo, a coffee farmer, said BCU stands out as a model for managing the coffee sector in Uganda.

“BCU has transformed coffee cultivation in the Elgon sub-region, improving quality, yields and creating value-added products for coffee farmers. This track record demonstrates that a cooperative model could be key to revitalizing Uganda’s coffee sector, aligning with Uganda’s history of cooperative-led agricultural growth since the 1960s,” said Mr. Bwayo , who is also the Namisindwa District Youth Councilor.

Established under the Bugisu Coffee Ordinance of 1955, BCU was entrusted with major marketing functions and assets, representing almost one million coffee producers. BCU operates in compliance with national and international cooperative principles, which positions it as a reliable leader in the sector. In the last three years alone, BCU has enabled 15,000 students to complete their tertiary education, purchased BCU Radio 102.6 to support farmers’ mobilization and established itself as the largest landowner in Bugisu.

“These achievements demonstrate the potential of BCU to manage the coffee sector nationally, ensuring equitable benefits for all Ugandan farmers. The case for handing over the coffee sector in Uganda to BCU is strong,” said Mr Emma Bwayo, a coffee farmer.