The country’s coffee fraternity is mourning the death of Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, the former Managing Director of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), whose passing was announced on Tuesday.
The news was shared by Charlotte Kemigyisha, the Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, a ministry that formerly supervised UCDA. In a heartfelt post on X, Kemigyisha wrote:
“It’s a dark day today in the coffee subsector as we receive news of the passing of Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, former MD – UCDA. His tenacity and resilience in pushing for an independent voice for Uganda Coffee on the global stage will be remembered together with advancing Uganda’s Coffee Roadmap. He ran his race… may the Almighty Lord receive him into eternal glory.”
Dr. Iyamulemye, an accomplished agricultural scientist, led UCDA during a period of major transformation, championing Uganda’s Coffee Roadmap and strengthening the country’s global presence in the coffee industry. His leadership was marked by an emphasis on expanding production, improving quality, and positioning Uganda as a competitive actor in international markets.
Many in the agriculture sector have hailed his commitment to modernizing the coffee value chain and advocating for farmer-centered reforms.
Funeral arrangements were yet to be announced by press time.