Ezrah Kashumbusha.
KAMPALA, February 27, 2024 | A petition has been filed at the Constitutional Court of Uganda by Twinobusigye Severino a renown Kampala based controversial lawyer concerning disclosures related to the coffee industry. The petition targets the former CEO of Vision Group, who allegedly made false and offensive statements attacking the Chairman of the Coffee Investment Consortium Uganda and the leader of a coffee value addition project supported by the Government of Uganda, Mr. Nelson Tugume.
Court documents reveal that on January 12th, 2024, the former Vision Group CEO made disparaging remarks on his social media platform, @rKabushega, accusing Mr. Tugume of misappropriating funds intended for coffee export trade. The petition, jointly filed by several law firms, alleges that the statements made by Kabushega violate constitutional provisions and seek to restrain him from further publishing false information against the government’s coffee value addition efforts.
The petitioners argue that Kabushega’s actions violate Article 2, 40(2), and 43(1) of the Constitution and the National Objective and Directive Principles of State Policy. They further request the court to prevent Kabushega from inciting the public to shun the coffee value addition project, emphasizing the importance of its success for the benefit of all Ugandans.
In response, Kabushega, who is the respondent alongside the Attorney General, defended his statements on social media, alleging that he is merely seeking to expose wrongdoing and advocate for the interests of coffee farmers. He expressed readiness to present evidence in court to support his claims.
The controversy arises amidst President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s push to add value to Ugandan coffee, as highlighted in his directive to the Ministry of Finance to advance $10 million (approximately 37 billion Ugandan shillings) to the Coffee Investment Consortium Uganda for supporting exporters in purchasing coffee from farmers.
The case is expected to shed light on the allegations made against the Mr. Nelson Tugume the Chairman of the Coffee Investment Consortium Uganda and could have significant implications for the coffee value addition program in Uganda.
