Kalungu district tightens measures to curb coffee theft
Coffee theft has become rampant across the Greater Masaka Sub-region, driven by rising coffee prices, bumper harvests, and security gaps in rural communities
KALUNGU, July 2, 2026 – The Kalungu District Security Committee has resolved to deny police bond and oppose court bail for suspected coffee thieves, as part of tougher measures aimed at curbing the escalating vice that is threatening farmers’ livelihoods.
Coffee theft has become rampant across the Greater Masaka Sub-region, driven by rising coffee prices, bumper harvests, and security gaps in rural communities.
During a recent security meeting convened by the Kalungu Resident District Commissioner [RDC], Seifuh Katabaazi, the committee resolved to urge all actors in the criminal justice system—including the police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions [ODPP], and the Judiciary, to take a tougher stance against suspects accused of coffee theft by minimising the granting of police bond and court bail.
Speaking during a meeting with coffee farmers, Katabaazi said the resolution was prompted by growing concern over the increasing cases of coffee and food theft affecting farmers and traders across the district.
She explained that suspects should instead be processed expeditiously for prosecution rather than being released on police bond.
Katabaazi noted that the vice has caused significant financial losses to both farmers and coffee traders, while also compromising the quality of coffee. According to her, thieves often invade plantations at night and harvest both ripe and unripe coffee cherries indiscriminately.
She added that security agencies had been directed to ensure that all suspects are promptly arraigned before the courts for prosecution and, where appropriate, sentencing.
Police records indicate that within the past month alone, Kalungu District registered at least 12 cases of break-ins targeting coffee stores, with thieves making away with coffee stocks. Another nine cases involved criminals raiding coffee gardens at night and harvesting farmers’ coffee.
However, the resolution comes against the backdrop of Uganda’s legal framework on bail. The Bail Guidelines for Courts of Judicature [Practice Directions], 2022, Legal Notice No. 8 of 2022, provide that:
“Where a person is charged with or convicted of a criminal offence, he or she may apply to court to be released on bail, and the court may grant that person bail on such conditions as the court considers reasonable.”
The District Security Committee, established under the National Security Council Act, is mandated to assess security threats and make recommendations aimed at maintaining law and order within the district.
The Chairperson of Kalungu Coffee Farmers and Processors Cooperative, Joseph Kiragga, welcomed the committee’s resolution, saying it would strengthen farmers’ ongoing efforts to combat coffee theft.
“Cooperatives had already started mobilising members to form village coffee task forces to respond to the rising theft cases. Ten-member village teams have begun conducting night patrols in coffee plantations, monitoring suspicious activities, and promoting better coffee handling practices,” Kiragga told theCooperator News.
During the meeting, several farmers expressed frustration over the persistent thefts, with some warning that they could abandon coffee farming if decisive action is not taken.
“The theft cases are discouraging us and could negatively affect our coffee production and incomes,” said Namagembe Ritah, a farmer from Kisaawa in Kalungu District.
She appealed to the District Security Committee to increase the deployment of security personnel to support the village coffee task forces, describing it as a sustainable solution to the growing problem.
https://thecooperator.news/kween-sacco-leaders-arrested-over-alleged-theft-shs-13mln/
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