The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) plays a pivotal role in bolstering Uganda’s coffee industry. Established in 1991 and functioning under the Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, UCDA is tasked with the comprehensive oversight of the coffee value chain—from research and production to quality control and marketing—aimed at maximizing the economic benefits for the country and its farmers.
Location
UCDA is strategically located at Coffee House on Plot 35 Jinja Road, in the bustling Central Business District of Kampala. This location serves as a central hub for its operations, coordinating efforts across the nation to enhance Uganda’s coffee industry.
Mandate and Functions
UCDA’s mandate encompasses several core functions:
- Regulation and Quality Control: Ensuring that all exported coffee meets international standards.
- Promotion of Production: Implementing strategies to boost coffee production across the country.
- Support for Research and Development: Collaborating with research institutions to innovate and improve coffee cultivation practices.
- Marketing and Value Optimization: Enhancing the marketing of Ugandan coffee both domestically and internationally to optimize its market value.
Objectives
The Authority is guided by several key objectives:
- To optimize foreign exchange earnings and ensure fair payments to coffee farmers.
- To monitor and improve the marketing strategies for Ugandan coffee.
- To control and ensure the quality of coffee, aligning with international standards.
- To support the development of the coffee industry through targeted research and extension services.
- To promote the domestic consumption of coffee, alongside its export.
Values
UCDA operates with a commitment to good governance characterized by transparency, accountability, integrity, and respect. It also focuses on environmental sustainability, encouraging eco-friendly coffee production practices.
International Relations
In a significant move, UCDA suspended its membership with the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in February 2022 for two years. This decision was driven by a desire to better allocate resources towards enhancing the national coffee sector and to address perceived imbalances in the attention given to consumer versus producer countries by the ICO. The suspension is seen as a strategic step to refocus on increasing coffee production and achieving a set goal of 20 million bags by 2025/2030.
UCDA’s efforts are crucial in positioning Uganda as a leading coffee producer on the global stage, focusing on both the quantity and quality of its coffee exports.
