AMOS KAKURU
Kajara County and Ntungamo District leaders have raised concerns about the ongoing government program to register coffee farmers nationwide, citing a lack of prior information and awareness.
Charles Barugahare, the LC2 chairperson of Kanyampumo Parish, stated that he was not informed about the initiative and that no mobilization efforts were made to engage local leaders. He mentioned that when he sought clarification from an official involved in the registration process, the official deferred the explanation.
Gift Akampurira, responsible for registering coffee farmers in Kanyampumo, explained that the program is a government initiative subcontracted to a PULA company. Akampurira noted that the exercise commenced on October 28, 2024. While many farmers have agreed to register, he observed some skepticism and rumors circulating that the government’s intent might be to impose additional taxes.
Hosea Turyahikayo, the field supervisor for the program in Ntungamo District, acknowledged that some local leaders might be unaware of the initiative. He attributed this to limited mobilization at the grassroots level, as the program initially targeted key district leaders, including the District Production Officer, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and Resident District Commissioner (RDC).
Turyahikayo clarified that the program aims to register every coffee farmer in Uganda as part of compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation. He emphasized that the initiative seeks to assure European countries importing Ugandan coffee that no deforestation occurred to establish coffee plantations. This effort is intended to strengthen trade relations with European countries, uphold environmental conservation, and support the coffee export market.
