“You Will Not Like My Counterattack” Museveni Bitterly Warns The Opposition On The Coffee Bill

President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning to lawmakers opposed to the Cabinet’s decision to integrate the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Speaking at his Kisozi farm in Gomba District, Museveni cautioned that those against the move are “playing with fire” and should prepare for a “counterattack”.

The proposed National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has sparked intense debate, with opposition lawmakers and intellectuals like Dr. Ezra Suruma and Buganda Premier Peter Mayiga arguing that it undermines decades of coffee sector growth. They contend that the Agriculture Ministry is ill-equipped to manage a specialized institution like UCDA.

Museveni, however, maintains that the Bill aims to enhance efficiency in government business.

“On the misconception, misinformation and politicising government programmes (rationalisation, specifically the Uganda Coffee Development Authority), the President advised the legislators that, “We are going to have a showdown, they are liars and criminals playing with fire.”

Museveni added: “They will not like the counterattack.”

Coffee Farmers Share Success Stories

During the meeting, coffee farmers shared their experiences and thanked Museveni for his poverty alleviation project. Noah Peterson Mulika, a coffee farmer from Kirasi, recounted how his life transformed after receiving support from the President.

“Before we started growing coffee, we were living a very miserable life… Now, I have four acres of elite coffee and I’m adding three more acres. In a year, I can make Shs50 million from coffee.”

Similarly, Ms. Rosette Kadoozi from Lutunku A expressed gratitude for the exotic cows provided by Museveni, which have enabled her to earn Shs900,000 monthly from milk sales.

Government Officials Defend the Bill

State Minister for Animal Industry Bright Rwamirama emphasized that mainstreaming UCDA would address wasteful administration and expenditure, ensuring efficient service delivery. The Vice President, Jessica Alupo, led a field tour to successful farms, demonstrating the Bill’s potential to develop the coffee sector.

As tensions rise, Museveni’s warning has left many wondering what the “counterattack” might entail. Will the government push through with the Bill, or will opposition forces prevail? The outcome will undoubtedly shape Uganda’s coffee industry and political landscape.