Museveni’s coffee Act a poverty tool and testament of corruption
By RICHARD KIZZA LUGOBWA A controversial law dubbed the National Coffee (Amendment) Act has since its first reading in March, passing in November, and assent in December 2024 continues to provoke questions and contention regards the government’s ulterior motive. The government framed the bill as part of its RAPEX (Rationalization of Agencies and Public Expenditure) policy, launched in February 2021 to reduce redundancy and rein in administrative costs. Proponents of the law argued that the amendment aimed at streamlining government and cutting costs by integrating the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze emphasized that embedding UCDA within MAAIF would “streamline operations, and eliminate bloated structures and functional ambiguities”. However, growing opposition from MPs, farmers and analysts suggests deeper motives at play, raising fierce accusations that President […]