Kagadi Villages Enact By-laws to Combat Rising Coffee Theft

In response to a surge in coffee theft that is significantly impacting farmers’ incomes and the region’s agricultural output, several villages and sub-counties in Kagadi District have established new local by-laws. These measures aim to curb the growing vice, which has been exacerbated by middlemen and illicit traders.

The community-driven initiatives target several key issues, including the direct theft of coffee from gardens, the harvesting and sale of immature coffee beans, the operations of unlicensed coffee buyers, and the involvement of children in coffee transactions. Leaders emphasize that these by-laws have taken effect immediately, with the cooperation of residents and local police expected to be crucial for enforcement.

Penalties for violations are stringent. For instance, individuals caught stealing coffee or traders buying or drying immature coffee face a fine of Shs500,000. To combat the issue of unregistered middlemen, all coffee buyers operating within the sub-county must now register with local authorities and obtain official licenses. This aims to differentiate legitimate traders from those involved in illicit activities.

The by-laws also specifically prohibit the harvesting and trading of premature coffee. This provision addresses two problems: farmers seeking quick cash by selling unripe beans and thieves using immature coffee to disguise the origin of stolen produce. Furthermore, parents are now held responsible if their children are found involved in selling coffee, as authorities believe this is a tactic used by perpetrators to conceal their identities.

To bolster security, village security groups have been formed, with members contributing monthly to fund investigations and emergency responses. Some sub-counties have also banned betting activities, which are believed to be a contributing factor to some individuals resorting to theft.

While welcomed by many, district agricultural officials have noted that some of these local by-laws may not fully align with national coffee legislation and that technical officers were not consulted during their drafting. They also pointed out that national laws often prescribe more severe penalties for similar offenses. Nevertheless, the community’s proactive stance highlights a strong commitment to protecting their valuable coffee crops.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)