agriculture 5 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ugandan Coffee Farmers Race Against Time for EUDR Registration
Coffee farmers in Uganda's Greater Masaka region are expressing concern over the slow pace and lack of clarity in registering under the European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR), with a new deadline approaching. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/slow-registration-worries-coffee-farmers-as-second-deadline-draws-closer-5620446
Ugandan coffee farmers, particularly in the Greater Masaka area, are facing anxiety as the December 30, 2026 deadline for registration under the European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) looms. This crucial regulation requires exporters to prove that their products, including coffee, were not grown on land deforested after December 31, 2020, and necessitates providing GPS coordinates for farming plots.
Many farmers report a lack of direct engagement with registration enumerators, leading to fears that they will be excluded from the government’s database. “Many farmers have never seen any enumerator in their villages, but they hear announcements in the media that the deadline is close and unregistered farmers will hardly find market for their crops,” shared Ephraim Ssendege, a coffee farmer from Lwengo.
Concerns have also been raised about the registration process itself. Some farmers have alleged that enumerators are registering individuals without their full consent or understanding, leading to issues with the issuance of registration cards. Furthermore, insufficient sensitization efforts have fueled misconceptions, with some farmers believing the registration is a precursor to taxation.
Stakeholders are calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to ramp up awareness campaigns to ensure all farmers understand the requirements and benefits of the EUDR. “The survey showed regulations have not trickled to farmers,” noted Proscovia Nanyanzi Kabanda, chairperson of the Biodiversity Conservation Foundation. Local agricultural officials acknowledge these challenges, noting that the EUDR enforcement deadline was extended from January 1, 2026, to December 30, 2026, for large-scale farmers and June 30, 2027, for smallholders to address such gaps.
Despite the hurdles, over 1.6 million farmers have been registered against a target of 1.2 million as of August. Efforts are underway to mobilize more farmers, with local leaders encouraged to participate in raising awareness. Uganda has invested approximately Shs13.9 billion in its National Traceability System, supported by aBi Development and UNDP, recognizing coffee’s significant contribution to its export earnings.