The contentious National Coffee Bill 2024 has been approved despite significant protests from various lawmakers.
The passage of the Bill was marked by dramatic events, including a physical confrontation between Kilak Noth MP Anthony Akol and Mityane Municipality MP Francis Zaake, in which Zaake was rushed to hospital.
Notably, the Bill was approved without the involvement of 12 members who had been suspended due to the tumultuous events earlier in the day.
Speaker Anitah Among took action by suspending these two MPs along with ten others for their disruptive behavior over three consecutive sessions.
She instructed the Sergeant at Arms to ensure that the suspended members were removed from the Chambers.
“I am proceeding to name the MPs and suspend these members for three consecutive sittings from this House. The Members are suspended with immediate effect from the House. I am also evoking Rule 88(2) to order the above MPs to withdraw immediately from the House and accordingly order the Sergeant at Arms that they vacate the Chambers and therefore suspend the House for 15minutes,” she said.
The National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024 has been officially enacted by Parliament, incorporating several amendments that lead to the dissolution of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).
Its responsibilities will now be managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
The Speaker revealed that 305 MPs were present in person during the plenary session when this decision was made.
This transition means that the UCDA will function as a department within the Ministry of Agriculture.
Line Minister Frank Tumwebaze stated that this Bill is a key element of the ongoing rationalization process.
“The Coffee Amendment Bill thereby, inter alia, relieves the Government of the financial drain on its resources and the burden of wasteful administration and expenditure on the Authority yet the Ministry may perform the functions with less cost and expenditure,” said Tumwebaze.
He told Parliament that the Bill is also meant to facilitate efficient and effective service delivery by clearly delineating the mandates and functions of the Ministry in relation to other government agencies and departments, thereby avoiding duplication of mandates and functions.
The opposition, along with the Buganda Caucus, voiced their disapproval of the Bill, particularly objecting to the integration of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr. Keefa Kiwanuka, the MP for Kiboga East, raised alarms about the possible downturn in the coffee industry, suggesting that the Minister of Agriculture should be mandated to provide regular updates to Parliament regarding the sector’s performance.
In response, Minister of State for Finance, Henry Musasizi, clarified that the ministry undergoes annual audits and has robust systems in place to oversee the sector’s performance.
