Coffee nursery bed operators accuse UCDA staff of extortion
Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Supply and distribution of coffee seedlings in Kasese district has been halted following protests from local nursery bed operators against the conduct of Uganda Coffee Development Authority-UCDA Kasese field office staff.
The already existing supply contracts have also been suspended.
Coffee nursery bed operators accuse UCDA staff of extortion, failing to renew their operation certificates and selectively awarding coffee supply contracts and certificates.
Last week, the Kasese field coordinator Moses Alinda was picked up by police for statement recording at Central police station after he was accused of asking money from the operators before inspecting their beds.
The operators said they were paying 30,000 shillings for services that are supposed to be free. But Alinda in his defence said the money was a form of appreciation from the farmers.
Now, the Kasese District Chief Administrative Officer Asuman Amis Masereka has directed all coffee supplies be suspended, until thorough investigations are made into the allegations.
The CAO also asked for the verification of all coffee nursery bed operators, joint inspection of nursery beds and requested the district production department to generate demand for coffee seedlings within the district.
Masereka says they have taken the decision to ensure there is transparency in the business and improved relationship between UCDA, nursery bed operators and the farmers. He says he has constituted a team to investigate the concerns and produce a report by Wednesday this week.
The Kasese RDC Lt. Joe Walusimbi has asked the office of the District Internal Security Officer-DISO to investigate the allegations of extortion.
He also accused the heads of production department of failing to coordinate with their field staff to monitor and understand farmer’s challenges.
Rahab Masika, a nursery bed operator from Bukonzo East says they have been frustrated by persons from outside the district who are cleared to supply the local farmers yet they also have the ready seedlings. She is demanding fairness in allocation of supply contracts.
Emmanuel Tumwizere, UCDA regional manager Rwenzori says his office has taken note of the matter and will apprehend whoever is found guilty of extortion and mismanaging the awarding of supply contracts.
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