Benard Muwanguzi
The recent merger between the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and the Agriculture Ministry has sparked intense debate. As a student of history and political education, I believe it’s essential to examine the implications of this merger and the role of colonialism in shaping our economy.
Uganda’s economy is heavily reliant on coffee, a cash crop that has a strong bond with our economic fate.
This vulnerability to global price fluctuations is a challenge that dates back to the colonial era. However, blaming colonial masters for our current losses is not the solution. Instead, we should focus on diversifying our economy to reduce our dependence on a single crop.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that European powers conducted thorough analyses of our land before assigning us to specialize in specific cash crops. Uganda’s two rainfall peaks make agriculture an ideal niche. Moreover, the people of the Great Lakes region have a long history of farming and trade, predating colonialism.
Therefore, it’s inaccurate to suggest that agriculture is a colonial imposition that we must reject to achieve economic growth.Rather than playing the blame game, we should recognize the role of colonialism in shaping our global presence.
Producing raw agricultural materials for industries outside the continent is a position within the concept of globalization. Our colonial past has, to some extent, elevated us to participate in the global economy.
To break free from the shackles of colonial templates, we must take action and put our own house in order. This includes diversifying our economy, investing in value addition, and developing our infrastructure. By doing so, we can reduce our dependence on a single crop and create a more resilient economy.
The UCDA merger with the Agriculture Ministry is an opportunity for us to re-examine our economic dependence on colonial templates.
By acknowledging our past and taking proactive steps to diversify our economy, we can create a more reliable and profitable agricultural landscape for ourselves and generations to come.
The writer is a student at Mengo Senior School, a scout, patriot and leader. He’s a thought-provoking writer inclined to leadership and cultural diversity.
