Rules & Regulations

Rules

In line with the mission of promoting quality, sustainability, and competitiveness of Uganda’s coffee sector, these rules are issued to guide farmers, cooperatives, and all stakeholders in the coffee value chain.

Part I: Farmer Registration & Licensing

All coffee farmers shall be registered with UCFRB for traceability and accountability.
Farmers shall obtain a valid license/registration number before selling or exporting coffee.
Farmer cooperatives or associations must also be registered with UCFRB.

Part II: Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)

Farmers shall use certified seedlings sourced from approved nurseries.
Planting shall follow recommended spacing and soil management practices for Arabica and Robusta.
Farmers shall adopt sustainable methods that conserve soil, water, and biodiversity.
Use of pesticides and fertilizers must comply with UCFRB guidelines and international safety standards.

Part III: Quality Standards

Harvesting shall only be done when coffee cherries are ripe; harvesting of immature cherries is prohibited.
Post-harvest handling (pulping, drying, storage) must meet UCFRB quality standards.
Coffee shall not be dried on bare ground; only recommended drying surfaces shall be used.
Farmers shall ensure proper storage to avoid contamination, mold, or pest damage.

Part IV: Marketing & Trade

All coffee sales must go through licensed buyers, cooperatives, or processors.
Farmers shall keep records of sales, production volumes, and buyers for traceability.
Export of coffee must comply with UCFRB grading, certification, and export licensing.

Part V: Farmer Conduct & Responsibilities

Farmers shall participate in UCFRB training and sensitization programs.
Farmers shall respect community norms, avoid child labor, and promote fair labor practices.
Collaboration with farmer cooperatives is encouraged for better bargaining power and compliance.

Part VI: Compliance & Enforcement

UCFRB inspectors shall have the authority to visit farms and inspect compliance.
Violations such as selling unripe cherries, using uncertified seedlings, or engaging in illegal trade shall attract:

Warning letters for first-time offenders.
Suspension of registration for repeated offenses.
Revocation of license and possible prosecution for gross violations.

Farmers have the right to appeal disciplinary actions through UCFRB committees.

Part VII: Incentives & Support

Compliant farmers shall benefit from:

Access to subsidized seedlings and inputs.
Priority in training, grants, and capacity-building programs.
Marketing opportunities through UCFRB partnerships.

UCFRB shall promote farmer access to credit and financial services through partnerships with banks and cooperatives.

These rules cover registration, good farming practices, quality standards, trade regulations, farmer conduct, compliance, and incentives ensuring Uganda’s coffee sector remains competitive globally.

Regulations

PART I – PRELIMINARY

1. Title and Commencement
These Regulations may be cited as the Coffee Farmers Regulations, 2025 and shall come into force on the date of publication

2. Interpretation
In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires;

“Board” means the Uganda Coffee Farmers Regulation Board (UCFRB).
“Farmer” means any person or group engaged in the cultivation of coffee in Uganda.
“Licensed dealer” means a person or entity authorized by the Board to buy, process, or export coffee.
“Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)” refers to the recommended farming practices issued by the Board.

PART II – REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

3. Registration of Farmers

Every coffee farmer shall register with the Board.
Registration shall include details of land size, number of trees, and location.
A registration certificate shall be issued by the Board.

4. Licensing of Farmer Cooperatives and Associations

Cooperatives engaged in bulk marketing or processing of coffee shall obtain a license from the Board.
Licenses shall be renewed annually.

PART III – COFFEE FARMING PRACTICES

5. Planting Materials

Farmers shall use only certified seedlings supplied by nurseries approved by the Board.
Use of uncertified seedlings is prohibited.

6. Good Agricultural Practices

Farmers shall maintain recommended plant spacing and field hygiene.
Application of fertilizers and pesticides shall comply with UCFRB guidelines.
Soil and water conservation measures must be observed.

7. Harvesting

Coffee shall be harvested only when cherries are fully ripe.
Harvesting immature or overripe cherries is prohibited.

8. Post-Harvest Handling

Coffee shall be pulped, dried, and stored using recommended methods.
Coffee shall not be dried on bare ground.
All coffee must meet minimum moisture content and quality standards set by the Board.

PART IV – MARKETING AND TRADE

9. Coffee Sales

Farmers may sell coffee only to licensed buyers, cooperatives, or processors.
Farmers shall keep accurate records of sales.

10. Exports

No farmer shall export coffee without certification and authorization from the Board.
All coffee for export must undergo quality grading by the Board.

PART V – FARMER RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS

11. Responsibilities of Farmers

Farmers shall participate in training and sensitization programs organized by the Board.
Farmers shall avoid use of child labor and adhere to fair labor practices.
Farmers shall cooperate with inspectors of the Board.

12. Rights of Farmers

Registered farmers shall have access to Board services, including training, seedlings, and marketing support.
Farmers shall have the right to appeal any decision made against them by the Board.

PART VI – ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

13. Inspection and Compliance

The Board shall appoint inspectors to monitor compliance with these Regulations.
Inspectors shall have access to farms, stores, and nurseries for inspection purposes.

14. Offences and Penalties

A farmer who;
- uses uncertified seedlings,
- harvests immature cherries,
- sells coffee to unlicensed buyers, or
- fails to comply with quality standards,
  commits an offence.
Offenders shall be subject to;
- a warning for first offence,
- suspension of registration for repeated offences, or
- cancellation of license and possible prosecution for gross violations.

PART VII – INCENTIVES AND SUPPORT

15. Incentives for Compliance

Farmers who comply with these Regulations shall receive priority in:
- Subsidized inputs and certified seedlings,
- Access to training and credit facilities,
- Participation in Board-supported export markets.

16. Partnerships
The Board shall work with financial institutions, research bodies, and international partners to support farmers in improving productivity and quality.

These Regulations provide a legal framework for registration, farming practices, quality control, marketing, farmer rights, enforcement, and incentives ensuring a professional, sustainable, and competitive coffee industry in Uganda.

Statutory Instruments

THE UGANDA COFFEE FARMERS REGULATION BOARD ACT, 2025
(Act No. __ of 2025)

THE COFFEE FARMERS REGULATIONS, 2025

(Under section ___ of the Uganda Coffee Farmers Regulation Board Act, 2025)

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon the Minister by section _ of the Uganda Coffee Farmers Regulation Board Act, 2025, these Regulations are made this _ day of __________, 2025.

PART I – PRELIMINARY

1. Title
These Regulations may be cited as the Coffee Farmers Regulations, 2025.

2. Application
These Regulations shall apply to all coffee farmers, cooperatives, processors, buyers, and exporters operating in Uganda.

3. Interpretation
In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

“Board” means the Uganda Coffee Farmers Regulation Board (UCFRB).
“Farmer” means a person or group engaged in coffee cultivation.
“Certified seedling” means a coffee plantlet supplied from a nursery licensed by the Board.
“Licensed buyer” means a person or entity permitted by the Board to purchase coffee for processing, trade, or export.

PART II – REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

4. Registration of farmers

Every coffee farmer shall register with the Board.
A farmer who fails to register commits an offence.
Registration shall be renewed annually in the manner prescribed by the Board.

5. Licensing of farmer cooperatives and associations

No cooperative or association shall engage in the bulk marketing of coffee without a license issued by the Board.
A license shall be valid for one year and subject to renewal.

PART III – FARMING PRACTICES

6. Planting materials

Farmers shall plant only certified seedlings obtained from nurseries licensed by the Board.
The use of uncertified seedlings is prohibited.

7. Good agricultural practices

Farmers shall maintain recommended plant spacing, pruning, mulching, and soil conservation practices.
Fertilizers and pesticides shall only be applied in accordance with guidelines issued by the Board.

8. Harvesting

Coffee shall be harvested only when cherries are fully ripe.
The harvesting of immature cherries is prohibited.

9. Post-harvest handling

Coffee shall not be dried on bare ground.
All parchment and dry cherry must meet the minimum quality and moisture standards prescribed by the Board.
Farmers shall store coffee in clean, ventilated, and pest-free facilities.

PART IV – MARKETING AND TRADE

10. Coffee sales

Coffee may be sold only to licensed buyers, cooperatives, or processors.
A farmer who sells coffee to an unlicensed buyer commits an offence.

11. Export of coffee

No coffee shall be exported without certification by the Board.
All coffee for export shall undergo inspection, grading, and quality assurance by the Board.

PART V – RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FARMERS

12. Responsibilities of farmers
Every registered farmer shall—
(a) participate in training and sensitization programmes organized by the Board;
(b) refrain from the use of child labour;
(c) comply with environmental and social safeguards;
(d) keep accurate records of production and sales.

13. Rights of farmers
Every registered farmer shall have the right to—
(a) access certified seedlings and inputs distributed by the Board;
(b) benefit from training, extension services, and technical support;
(c) appeal against any decision of the Board affecting his or her rights.

PART VI – ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

14. Inspection

The Board shall appoint inspectors to monitor compliance with these Regulations.
An inspector may enter any coffee farm, store, nursery, or processing site for purposes of inspection.

15. Offences
A person commits an offence if that person—
(a) plants uncertified seedlings;
(b) harvests immature cherries;
(c) dries coffee on bare ground;
(d) sells coffee to an unlicensed buyer; or
(e) exports coffee without certification.

16. Penalties

A first-time offender shall be issued with a written warning.
A repeat offender shall have his or her registration suspended.
A persistent offender shall have his or her registration cancelled and may be prosecuted under the Act.

PART VII – INCENTIVES AND SUPPORT

17. Incentives for compliance
The Board shall give priority to compliant farmers in the distribution of certified seedlings, access to credit facilities, training, and participation in government-supported export markets.

18. Partnerships
The Board shall collaborate with research institutions, financial institutions, and development partners to support farmer productivity and sustainability.

SCHEDULES

(If needed, schedules may include: forms for registration, licensing fees, inspection checklists, and penalties matrix.)

Made this ___ day of __________, 2025.

Rules & Regulations

Rules

Part I: Farmer Registration & Licensing

Part II: Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)

Part III: Quality Standards

Part IV: Marketing & Trade

Part V: Farmer Conduct & Responsibilities

Part VI: Compliance & Enforcement

Part VII: Incentives & Support

Regulations

PART I – PRELIMINARY

PART II – REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

PART III – COFFEE FARMING PRACTICES

PART IV – MARKETING AND TRADE

PART V – FARMER RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS

PART VI – ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

PART VII – INCENTIVES AND SUPPORT

Statutory Instruments

THE COFFEE FARMERS REGULATIONS, 2025

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon the Minister by section ___ of the Uganda Coffee Farmers Regulation Board Act, 2025, these Regulations are made this ___ day of __________, 2025.

PART I – PRELIMINARY

PART II – REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

PART III – FARMING PRACTICES

PART IV – MARKETING AND TRADE

PART V – RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FARMERS

PART VI – ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

PART VII – INCENTIVES AND SUPPORT

SCHEDULES

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon the Minister by section _ of the Uganda Coffee Farmers Regulation Board Act, 2025, these Regulations are made this _ day of __________, 2025.