MBLE, Uganda – Coffee industry stakeholders gathered in Mbale City on Thursday to discuss the Coffee National Registration Campaign, addressing concerns over the process’s slow progress and potential impact on farmers’ livelihoods.
“The campaign is very important for the coffee industry, and we must ensure that all stakeholders are on board,” said Beth Katami, Deputy Chairperson of Mbale District, in her opening remarks.
Robert Nangastya, Head of Extension Services at the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), explained that the registration campaign is linked to the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires coffee producers to meet sustainability and traceability standards.
“The goal is to ensure that Ugandan coffee can continue to access premium markets, especially in Europe,” Nangastya said. “We need accurate data collection from farmers, which is central to the registration process.”
Isaac Chepkurui, UCDA Regional Manager for Elgon, emphasized the need for district leaders to engage with farmers to clarify the registration’s importance and potential consequences of non-compliance.
“Failure to register could result in exclusion from key markets,” Chepkurui warned. “We need to work together to ensure that all farmers are registered and compliant with the regulations.”
Patience Nambozo, Assistant RDC for Mbale City, encouraged farmers to embrace the registration process. “This is an opportunity for us to improve the quality of our coffee and access better markets,” Nambozo said. “Let us work together to make this happen.”
Luzze Abdul, Assistant RDC for Bulambuli, expressed concerns about the delay in the registration process and its impact on farmers. “We need to ensure that all farmers are aware of the process and its benefits,” Abdul said. “But we also need to ensure that the process is transparent and free from political influence.”
The UCDA addressed these concerns, assuring stakeholders of their commitment to resolving issues and improving the process. Nangastya pledged continued support from UCDA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to ensure successful registration and emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration among stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue working closely with local leaders to support farmers and ensure the timely completion of the registration process, aiming to register 1.8 million coffee farming households across Uganda.
