Minister orders investigation into alleged extortion of coffee nursery bed operators in Masaka

MASAKA, January 19, 2025 – The Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, has written to the Director General of the Internal Security Organisation [ISO] and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit [SHACU], requesting an investigation into allegations of extortion targeting coffee nursery bed operators, and farmers in the Greater Masaka region.

In a letter dated January 16, 2025, Minister Tumwebaze revealed that he had received complaints from leaders in Masaka region about a group of individuals claiming to be from “higher offices in government”. These individuals, the minister said, have allegedly been holding meetings with farmers and nursery operators in Masaka, demanding Shs 300,000 from each participant.

According to the complaints, the group claimed that this money is membership fee for an unnamed national coffee association, through which the government would facilitate the procurement of coffee seedlings.

The letter further stated that the fraudsters have threatened that coffee nursery bed operators, and farmers who refuse to join the dubious coffee association will not have their coffee seedlings purchased by the government.

The group reportedly claimed that the Shs 300,000 would be divided as follows: Shs 100,000 for the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO]/National Coffee Research Institute, Shs 100,000 for a local association in Masaka, and another Shs 100,000 for the National Association of Devoted Coffee Farmers Initiative of Uganda.

The most affected coffee farmers and nursery operators are from the districts of Bukomansimbi, Lwengo, Masaka, Kalungu, Sembabule, Kyotera, Lyantonde, and Masaka City.

Fred Busuulwa, Chairperson of Masaka City Coffee Nursery Operators, explained that there are over 380 nursery operators in Masaka City. Unfortunately, he said, a group of individuals posing as leaders of the Greater Masaka Nursery Operators Limited have been coercively collecting Shs 300,000 from each farmer and nursery operator, threatening that failure to pay would result in their coffee seedlings not being purchased by the government.

“Government had been buying coffee seedlings from nursery operators through the now abolished Uganda Coffee Development Authority [UCDA], but since it merged with the Ministry of Agriculture, coffee nursery operators have started facing problems, with some being deceived by individuals posing as part of dubious associations claiming they can help farmers supply seedlings to the government,” Busulwa explained. UCDA was previously tasked with supplying seedlings to farmers for all seasons and ensuring the quality of coffee from farm to cup.

Busulwa added that the leaders of these associations have been collecting national identification cards and personal details from farmers and nursery operators during the registration process, in addition to extorting money from each individual.

“Through our investigations, we discovered that these so-called associations were registered as companies limited by guarantee, and the money they collect goes directly into their leaders’ pockets for personal gain,” he disclosed.

Minister Tumwebaze has strongly condemned these actions, describing them as fraudulent and intended to deceive and exploit farmers. “This is a request for you [the Director General of Internal Security Organisation and State House Anti-Corruption Unit] to investigate these allegations and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he stated in his letter.

The letter has also been copied to all Resident District Commissioners [RDCs], Chief Administrative Officers, and District Production Officers, who have been instructed to guide farmers on the correct government policies and procedures for the registration and certification of coffee farmers and nursery bed operators.

Masaka’s Deputy RDC, Robert Kambugu, confirmed receipt of the minister’s letter and stated that investigations are already underway to identify the leaders behind these fraudulent associations extorting money from coffee nursery bed operators.

Dennis Ssebinojjo, the Masaka District Agricultural Officer, added that the district’s agricultural department is focused on boosting coffee production. As one of 146 renowned coffee-growing districts in Uganda, Masaka has seen a significant increase in demand for coffee seedlings.

https://thecooperator.news/hoima-coop-pursues-govt-for-coffee-seedlings/