Minutes before voting on the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill 2024, which has sharply divided Parliament over the two days it was debated, Ms Among was seen and heard in a video issuing instructions to the clerk of table to ensure that the bill provides the numbers required to defeat the odds against those who oppose it.

But once she was assured of the numbers of 80 versus 130, she ordered, “Then you better make sure those…” as her voice trailed off.

However, those somewhat muffled words have since sparked multiple reactions from the public, the Kingdom of Buganda and MPs from the Buganda region, who said the President singled out Buganda in his statement and called on him to apologize for the allegedly unpleasant statement.

Buganda Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga also posted on his official platform X, formerly twitter, that the bill, which seeks to reintegrate the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into its parent ministry, targets Buganda, which contributes about 50% of Uganda’s coffee exports. .

President Museveni also intervened, asking players to desist from stirring up tribal sentiments, saying his government has concentrated most of its coffee projects in the center and sees no reason to be seen as marginalizing the region.

As the bill makes its way through Parliament, a pressing concern remains; will this crucial legislation fall prey to tribal and political machinations?

Uganda’s coffee industry, a cornerstone of the economy and livelihoods of millions across the country, requires a bipartisan approach and because of this and other factors, we urge the government and Parliament to ensure that the bill rises above petty politics and regional interests. .

As things stand, Uganda’s coffee sector is at a crossroads. The proposed amendments aim to simplify regulations, improve quality control and increase farmers’ incomes. However, whispers of tribal and political maneuvering threaten to derail the process. This is unacceptable. Coffee is a national treasure that transcends regional and ethnic boundaries.

The provisions of the bill, aimed at bringing the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and promoting value addition, should be judged solely on their merits. Politicization will only fragment the industry, pitting regions and communities against each other, but sharing ideas on how to get more out of the cash crop is essential.

The focus must remain on empowering farmers, improving productivity and increasing competitiveness in the global market, rather than on which region benefits more than the other.

The legislature must resist the temptation to inject tribal and political agendas into the debate. Instead, they should engage in constructive dialogue, prioritizing the interests of the nation over narrow constituencies. The government, too, should show leadership by ensuring that the bill serves the wider national good.