UCDA’s role in transforming Uganda’s coffee sector is overrated, says Museveni
President Museveni has said weighed in on the ongoing debate about the scrapping of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority.In a missive on Saturday night, the president said there are sustained “lies” about the ongoing rationalization policy, noting that the role of some agencies is being overrated.“Some of these agencies were started under the government of the NRM when the economy was down, and the Public Servants were all being paid low salaries. Since some people respond to only the mercenary logic of only working hard for personal remuneration such as pay, we tactically agreed that some government efforts could be executed outside the departmental structures of the government with the workers there paid higher salaries than those in the government departments,” Museveni said.He noted that this is how UNRA, NAADS and UCDA among others came about.Museveni said many of these agencies did not fulfil the targets of the NRM government , especially the third NRM principle of Social- economic transformation- involving all homesteads into the money economy.He said by 2013, 68% of Ugandan homesteads were still in in subsistence production, noting that this way, he had to launch Operation Wealth Creation using the army to distribute coffee seedlings as well as the other planting and breeding materials to the farmers.“If UCDA and NAADS were successful, why were 68% of the homesteads still outside the money economy by 2013? OWC did much more work than NAADS and UCDA and CDO combined.”According to Museveni, in Masaka, Operation Wealth Creation has so far distributed over one million coffee seedlings and caused the planting of 38,666.6 acres of coffee.He noted that OWC also gave out other planting and breeding materials: tea, fruits, pigs and cassava among others.“That is how, for the first time in the history of Uganda, the number of the households in the money economy, is now 67% and those outside the money economy are 33%.” “However, OWC also started having issues. Complaints started coming in of: begabira bbokka (they only give seedlings or materials to only themselves); bagaba bifu (they give poor quality materials); they are, moreover, overpriced; they also bring materials out of time; etc. These same accusations were, of course, more amplified during the time UCDA, NAADS, etc., were the sole actors in the field. That is how and why we came to PDM – let the People in the parish organize themselves, we give them government soft money and they buy for themselves the planting and the breeding materials and let the Emyooga, at the Constituency level, deal with the other skills and activities – some of which are not agricultural.” “It is, therefore, fraudulent for NAADS, UCDA, etc., to claim that the big boost in agricultural production is because of their efforts and that if they are not there, production will suffer.”1) The Govt Scientists and Research Centres that develop theHe said government scientists and research centres are responsible for improved seeds and breeding stock, citing the high yielding clonal coffee seeds were developed by Dr. Sebunya Kibirige, “not the irrelevant and opportunistic UCDA and NAADS.”Museveni insisted it is foolhardy for “negative chauvinists” to deceive people about the role played by UCDA.“People with the coffee, it is the NRM that revived and expanded its production as it did for all the other products enumerated above. If there are problems like the one with tea now, we shall sit with the stakeholders, discuss and get solutions, using rational solutions. Long live the rationalization.”https://www.ugbulletin.co.ug/ucdas-role-in-transforming-ugandas-coffee-sector-is-overrated-says-museveni/
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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