Kampala, Uganda – The Uganda Parliament has passed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, despite intense opposition from some lawmakers. The bill, which was passed on Wednesday, transfers the functions of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF).
The plenary session, which started at 10 am, was marked by chaos, with some MPs engaging in physical altercations. Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake, was rushed to hospital after being beaten by Kilak North MP, Anthony Akol, over a seat.
Speaker Anita Among suspended 12 MPs accused of misconduct, including Zaake and Akol, from attending three consecutive plenary sittings. The suspended MPs also include Wakayima Musoke, Aloysius Mukasa, Charles Tebandeke, Isaiah Ssasaga, Asinansi Nyakato, Derrick Nyeko, Frank Kabuye, Ronald Evan Kanyike, Susan Mugabi, and Shamim Malende.
The bill’s passage was confirmed by Speaker Among, who announced that at least 305 MPs attended the plenary session.
