Mbale, Uganda– The Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU), which brings together coffee farmers in the Elgon region, held its 64th Annual General Meeting at their coffee factory to assess progress and strategize on improving the union’s operations.
The meeting, chaired by BCU Chairman Nathan Nandala Mafabi, was graced by the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Gume Ngobi, who warned against internal sabotage.
Minister Warns Against Petitions from Non-Union Members
Minister Ngobi cautioned individuals attempting to share union information with outsiders, leading to unnecessary petitions against BCU leadership.
“none union member have no authority to petition the union. If anyone has concerns, they should address them by joining the union,” Ngobi stated.
He also revealed plans to draft a cabinet paper requesting a special government fund for coffee farmers, recognizing coffee as one of Uganda’s top export earners.
Farmers Praise BCU for Better Prices but Demand More Marketing Efforts
Farmers at the meeting acknowledged BCU’s efforts in securing better coffee prices, with rates rising from UGX 5,000 to UGX 13,000 per kilogram. However, some urged the union to intensify marketing to fetch even higher returns.
Environmental Concerns: Farmers Warned Against Deforestation
Mr. Matiya Mugewrwa from Cafe Africa Uganda urged farmers not to cut down forests to plant coffee, citing a government ban on coffee grown in deforested areas.
“Coffee from such land will be rejected on the international market,” he warned.
BCU Reports Mixed Performance: Revenue Doubles but Deliveries Drop
In his address, Nandala Mafabi reported that BCU’s clean coffee revenue surged from UGX 3.1 billion (2023) to UGX 6 billion (2024). However, parchment coffee deliveries plummeted from 589,000 kgs to 167,280 kgs, attributed to poor harvests and farmers selling to competitors.
Despite challenges, BCU supported 275 students with bursaries and tuition, demonstrating its commitment to community development. Nandala encouraged more farmers to join the union for better earnings.
Call for Value Addition and Local Coffee Consumption.
In his closing remarks, Minister Ngobi urged farmers to add value to their coffee to maximize profits. He also emphasized the need for Ugandans to drink their own coffee to expand the market.
“We must promote local coffee consumption to create a sustainable market,” he said.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to strengthening BCU’s operations and improving the livelihoods of coffee farmers in the Elgon region.
