Parliament gives Nelson Tugume additional Shs 60 bn to ‘market’ Uganda’s coffee

Parliament has approved Shs 60 billion as part of a supplementary request to fund Inspire Africa, a coffee firm run by businessman, Nelson Tugume.

Henry Musasizi, the minister of state for Finance (General Duties) told MPs the additional billions are for the completion of standards and certifications, working capital to purchase coffee from farmers, branding and marketing of coffee as well as operational funds to run the factory.

The new additional funds mean that over the last two years, Inspire Africa has received Shs 97 billion of taxpayers’ money for coffee marketing purposes.

Inspire Africa is constructing a value addition facility in Ntungamo which Tugume says aims at increasing Uganda’s coffee earnings to at least $5 billion per annum from the current $1.5 bn.

In an interview with Nile Post last year, Tugume bragged that he has always found ways of getting funding for his projects because of his “good vision.”

However, critics have claimed that there is little accountability for the money advanced to investors like Tugume and it is possible the funds can be misused.

To his critics, Tugume said: “If those fighting us no longer have interest, you don’t mind about them because I don’t revenge. The Bible tells us to leave vengeance for Him.”

Tugume’s Shs 60 billion was part of over Shs4 trillion that Parliament approved last week in supplementary funding to enable the government to meet its obligations.

It includes Shs 257 billion that will go towards completing the football stadium in Hoima for the hosting of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.  It encompasses Shs 725 billion for the buyout of Umeme, Musasizi said.

There is also Shs 60 billion to enable the rollout of at least 20 million doses of anti-tick vaccines required by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Shs 298 billion for debt servicing towards Lubowa Hospital.

Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda expressed reservations about additional funding for Lubowa Hospital.

“There is a significant risk of financial loss for Ugandans if additional funding is allocated to the project. It is recommended that the project be halted until a special audit report is completed and Parliament can deliberate on the findings,” Ssemujju said