An Open Plea to President Museveni: Respect Our Coffee Farmers and Democracy says Hon. James Kaberuka Ruugi Niringiyimana, MP for Kinkizi West, Kanungu District

By John Kusolo

A Call from the Heart

Your Excellency, with deep respect and concern, I address you in this open letter, as both an ardent NRM cadre and a dedicated Member of Parliament. My heart aches as I pen these words, especially after recent developments surrounding the proposed amendments to the Coffee Bill and the controversial suggestion to place the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture. As an elected representative, I owe it to my people—the hardworking farmers of Kinkizi and other coffee-growing regions—to ensure their voices and views are heard and not dismissed.

A Democracy in Question

In our recent NRM caucus, your remarks left many of us bewildered. By labeling MPs who oppose the Coffee Bill as "criminals," you seem to have crossed a line that stifles open dialogue—a fundamental pillar of democracy. We live in a system where divergent views should be embraced, where leaders should inspire unity and collaboration rather than sow discord. In our democracy, surely we can disagree without being disparaged.

The Lack of Transparency in Caucus Meetings

I chose not to attend this caucus because I believe in transparency and respect. In a previous caucus, I requested our Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua, to ensure agendas are shared before meetings. As a representative of the people, I cannot participate in gatherings where the agenda is withheld. Just as you, Your Excellency, would never attend an international summit unprepared, we MPs, representing our constituencies, should be treated with similar respect and transparency.

Dissent is Not Criminal

Divergent views are a sign of democracy's health, not its demise. It was disheartening to hear dissenting voices labeled as "indiscipline." Dialogue, not subjugation, should be our approach to differing opinions. As leaders, we must be willing to understand opposing views, to engage with those who disagree, and to remember that our role is not to coerce but to represent the will of the people.

If we, the dissenters, have committed any crimes, let the courts decide our fate. To blackmail or pressure us into submission not only undermines democracy but also silences critical perspectives that could lead to better governance.

Reflections on Past Mistakes and Unheeded Advice

Your Excellency, in recent years, you have acknowledged that certain government agencies have turned "parasitic," wasting resources and creating inefficiencies. This is a stark admission of mistakes that were perhaps rooted in the absence of listening. Notably, experienced figures like Dr. Ezra Suruma, your Presidential Advisor on Economic Affairs, have advised against the Coffee Bill, only to be brushed aside. It leads one to question: why employ advisors if their insights are disregarded?

Similarly, history has shown the consequences of ignoring wise counsel. When Dr. Suruma opposed the sale of the Uganda Commercial Bank, his insights went unheeded, a decision that was later regretted but for which an apology to Ugandans is yet to be made. Failing to listen to trusted advisors only risks repeating costly mistakes.

*The Double Standards: Is This Really about Rationalization?*

The rationale behind placing UCDA under the Ministry of Agriculture is not convincing, especially when other state-funded agencies under your office operate autonomously without question. For instance, the recent allocation of 37 billion UGX to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) to promote Uganda’s coffee abroad raises questions. If UCDA is parasitic, as argued, why was this large budget not assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture or Uganda Export Promotion Board?

Similarly, several other agencies under State House—including the Health Monitoring Unit, Anti-Corruption Unit, and Revenue Intelligence Unit—operate independently and are funded without the need for parliamentary oversight to merge or dissolve them. If the real objective is rationalization, these units, too, should be scrutinized.

*Questioning the Wastage of Public Resources*

Your Excellency, our people are not blind to instances of apparent wastage. Investments in projects like the Lubowa Specialized Hospital (over 400 billion UGX), Atiak Sugar Factory (530 billion UGX), and the Roko Constructions bailout (500 billion UGX) have yet to bear fruit. These examples cast doubt on the consistency and logic behind rationalizing UCDA while other costly ventures continue unchecked.

*A Plea for Evidence: Will the Ministry Protect Our Coffee?*

Uganda’s coffee industry holds immense economic and cultural value. However, entrusting it to the Ministry of Agriculture—an institution that has struggled with basic challenges like promoting tea or controlling Foot and Mouth Disease—raises legitimate fears about the future of our coffee. Before dismantling UCDA, we demand clear evidence and a robust plan to ensure our coffee remains competitive and well-regulated.

*Listen to the People, Safeguard the NRM's Legacy*

Your Excellency, listening to the will of Ugandans is a cornerstone of effective leadership. As we approach another election cycle, strategic missteps may damage the NRM’s reputation and alienate its own MPs. This letter is not an attack but a plea for dialogue, respect, and reason.

Let us preserve UCDA, as a symbol of our commitment to coffee farmers and the future of Uganda’s agricultural prosperity.

Respectfully,

Hon. James Kaberuka Ruugi Niringiyimana

MP Kinkizi West, Kanungu District