The Buganda Parliamentary Caucus has opposed the government's proposal to rationalize the Uganda Coffee Development Authority,with in the next three years.
Addressing a news conference at parliament the group led by the Chairperson of the Buganda Caucus, Muwanga Kivumbi, expressed firm stance against the bill, and vow to fight it until the government withdraws it.
He said that Uganda Coffee Development Authority plays a critical role in our country's coffee sector, and merging it with the Ministry of Agriculture would undermine its effectiveness.
Kivumbi also emphasized the caucus's opposition to merge the Uganda Dairy Corporation with the same ministry,highlighting the importance of keeping specialized agencies like UCDA and the Uganda Dairy Corporation autonomous to ensure their continued success.
The Buganda Caucus has laid out a series of actions, Starting next Tuesday to support their cause.
The group will hold consultative meetings with coffee-growing communities from Buganda region, starting with Greater Mpigi, then greater Mubende, greater Luwero, greater Masaka and lastly greater Mukono.
These meetings aim to gather feedback and build support for their cause.The caucus has also resolved to form a parliamentary coffee platform to advocate for the coffee sector.
They plan to host breakfast meetings with key stakeholders and launch a social media campaign to raise awareness and mobilize public support.
This follows a recent meeting President Museveni had with the three parliamentary committees of finance, Agriculture and National economy who agreed to pass a law that merge the Uganda Coffee Development Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture after a period of three years.
How ever Muwanga said they will not allow parliament to legislate in anticipation and vowed to fight this bill until it is withdrawn.
The caucus has asked its members in the ruling NRM Government to raise their concerns in the NRM parliamentary caucus which is scheduled to meet on Friday at state house Entebbe.
