Empowering Bukomansimbi: Coffee Farmers Unite Against Exploitative Lending Practices.
By Amos Ssemuwemba
Coffee farmers in Bukomansimbi District are calling for urgent government intervention to safeguard their harvests from the predatory practices of exploitative money lenders, which threaten both their livelihoods and the quality of Uganda’s esteemed coffee.
During a recent workshop in Bigasa, organized by the Buddu-Rural Coffee Growers Traders and Processors Association, farmers gathered to discuss their pressing concerns and to inaugurate new leadership aimed at fostering resilience in the face of adversity. The workshop follows a series of awareness concerts aimed at promoting sustainable coffee farming and cultivating community solidarity around this vital cash crop.
At the event, farmers shared harrowing accounts of how financial hardship drives them into the clutches of unscrupulous money lenders who purchase immature coffee at unfairly low prices. “We find ourselves trapped in a cycle of poverty,” lamented one farmer. “These lenders take our coffee before it ripens fully. The prices they offer are far below what we deserve, leaving us with nothing for our families or for reinvestment into our farms.”
The crippling financial strain has pushed some farmers to seek solace in superstition, turning to witchcraft in hopes of securing their livelihoods. This desperation is not only detrimental to their mental well-being but also adversely affects the quality of the coffee, with premature harvests diminishing market value.
Farmers are now advocating for stronger cooperative frameworks that can empower them to resist the exploitation of intermediaries and guarantee fair pricing. “We require robust farmer associations to defend our harvests and secure equitable prices,” asserted one participant.
Adding his voice to the cause, Hajj Twaha Musoke, chairman of rice farmers in Bukomansimbi, attended the workshop to express solidarity. He shared the successes that cooperatives have achieved within the rice sector, urging coffee growers to adopt a similar collaborative approach. “Cooperatives have rescued many rice farmers from similar challenges; they can do the same for coffee growers. Unity is our strength against division,” Musoke emphasized.
Afande Joy Katamba, the founder of the Buddu-Rural Coffee Growers Traders and Processors Association, reinforced the message of non-discriminatory cooperation as essential for enhancing the welfare of coffee farmers. She highlighted the pivotal role cooperatives play in addressing financial difficulties and ensuring fair trade.
David Kibinge, head of cooperatives in Bukomansimbi, echoed these sentiments, calling for farmers to unite and resist divisions that could undermine their collective bargaining power. “The future of coffee in Bukomansimbi hinges on our ability to collaborate, forge robust cooperatives, and maintain unity,” Kibinge declared. “Together, we can achieve remarkable progress.”
With the backing of the government, coffee farmers in Bukomansimbi aspire to fortify their associations, positioning themselves as a leading force in Uganda’s coffee production and significantly enhancing the economic prospects of local growers.
