UCDA takes coffee farmer registration gospel to religious leaders ahead of EU deadline
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority has held a meeting with religious leaders under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda(IRCU) in a bid to popularize the registration of coffee farmers ahead of the start of the European Union guidelines on exports.The UCDA team met with officials led by Msgr. Dr. John B. Kauta Secretary General, Uganda Episcopal Conference in Kampala.“We request your support and endorsement towards registration of coffee farmers. The new European Union regulations are in good faith. It is not only applicable to Uganda but many countries that grow coffee in the world have to comply. This regulation aims to ensure protection of biodiversity by ensuring coffee is grown from deforestation free areas. When our coffee is taken to the EU market, the burden of proof will be on the exporter to show that the product is not from a deforested area,” said Robert Nangatsa, an extension manager at UCDA.He said means coffee farmers around the country have to be registered and their coffee gardens mapped using GPS coordinates and given unique identifiers so that in case all coffee exported can be traced.He said in case anyone produces coffee from a deforested area, it will be easy to identify and will not be accepted on the EU market which currently accounts for over 70% of all Uganda’s coffee exports.He said exporters will therefore be required to prove their coffee exports are not from deforested areas.“If our coffee is traceable, it will fetch a higher value than one which is untraceable. Traceability is about transparency. These people are looking at transparency in transactions. With this system, it will be possible to audit trading companies to know how much they pay farmers and how they are paid abroad. You will be able to know whether exporters are ripping farmers or not.”Officials dispelled rumors that the registration exercise is meant to provide data to URA to be able to tax coffee farmers.“ Why would government wait for this time? This is registration for purposes of trading. This law doesn’t apply to only Africa but globally. It also affects EU. Any exporting from EU to Africa must also conform to this regulation. As Ugandans like so much to speculate but we are here to fight falsehoods about this registration. The challenge is that there are people without any information who make wild allegations,” Nangatsa said.IRCU Secretary General, Joshua Kitakule welcomed the meeting that he said was fruitful.“It is important as coffee farmers to register for these EU regulations because we don’t want to lose the market. As the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and faith communities, we have a role to play in this to ensure farmers get the right information about the registration,” Kitakule said.He said they are to sign an MOU with UCDA which will clearly spell out their roles.“We are also going to offer our structures, both the social media, the televisions, the associations, but more importantly, the spaces around the mosque and the churches to ensure that every Friday, every Saturday, every Sunday, there is a message going out to the coffee farmers about the importance of registration, because we think that this regulation is critical, and improving on quality, but also ensuring that we keep the European Union market.”Uganda’s coffee exports have in the past decade more than doubled from 3million bags to over 6.3 million bags per year.Coffee employs 1.8 million households in Uganda and 12 million people directly.This year, Uganda’s total coffee exports to Europe rose to 73% of the country’s entire coffee exports. https://www.ugbulletin.co.ug/ucda-takes-coffee-farmer-registration-gospel-to-religious-leaders-ahead-of-eu-deadline/
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum