The Premier (Katikkiro) of the Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga, has emphasized the need for the Ugandan government to provide additional funding to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), rather than prioritizing rationalization.

Mayiga made this call during a recent address, stressing the importance of coffee production as a means to uplift the socioeconomic status of Buganda’s residents.

In his statement, Mr. Mayiga highlighted the Mwanyi Terimba Initiative, a campaign launched by the Buganda Kingdom in 2016 to promote coffee production in the region. This initiative emerged as a response to the high levels of poverty he observed during his previous toffali (fundraising) campaign, which ran from 2013 to 2016. The initiative seeks to increase coffee production among local farmers, helping them gain financial stability and improve their livelihoods.

Mayiga explained that coffee farming holds significant potential for economic development in Buganda and Uganda as a whole. He argued that empowering UCDA with more funds would help achieve these goals by supporting farmers with resources, training, and market access.

The Katikkiro urged the Ugandan government to recognize the importance of coffee to the nation’s economy and provide the necessary financial support to maximize its potential.