Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga has lashed out at the government over the controversial coffee processing agreement with Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited, a private company to market and export Uganda’s coffee, saying the agreement is bad.
Speaking at Lubaga Cathedral on Sunday, Katikkiro Mayiga said that the agreement is bad since it almost gives monopoly to one company and no single farmer and other stakeholder was consulted before its signing.
“Those who signed the agreement never consulted anyone but claim it is good. We all understand English and know how to interpret agreements, be it laws. Farmers were never consulted; neither dealers nor exporters were consulted. Buganda has a big stake in the coffee industry but why were we not consulted?” Mayiga questioned.
Mayiga said the agreement intends to force Ugandans out of the coffee business especially in Buganda where Coffee production has gone up by 35% whereas the country’s coffee exports too have gone up and to this, Buganda accounts for more than 30%.
He noted that developments in the coffee sector in recent years make him think some people want to force Ugandans out of the coffee business.
“When we challenged the coffee bill, we were ridiculed. Then all of a sudden, Uganda Coffee Development Authority without consulting anyone pulled out of the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
“When we questioned the move, we were again ridiculed. It appears some people want to frustrate Ugandans out of the coffee business and sell it abroad. Why don’t they first consult us,” Mayiga said.
Government recently signed a deal with Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited to establish a coffee processing plant at Namanve industrial park where Italian businesswoman Enrica Pinetti signed on behalf of the company.
Pinetti was involved in the deal for the construction of Lubowa International Specialized Hospital but the same has since stalled.
Last week, the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, Ramathan Ggoobi defended the controversial coffee agreement that he said will benefit the country.
