TERRIBLE! Here’s What Exactly Killed Former UCDA Executive Director Emmanuel Iyamulemye 

By Our Reporter

Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, the former Executive Director of the now-defunct Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), died Tuesday morning. His passing was confirmed by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze.

A close family member revealed that Dr. Iyamulemye succumbed to cancer, an illness he had quietly battled for several years.

In his tribute, Minister Tumwebaze hailed Dr. Iyamulemye as a transformative figure in Uganda’s coffee industry, crediting him for the sector’s exponential growth during his tenure.

“He was a pillar of Uganda’s coffee sector who played a key leadership role in designing and implementing Uganda’s coffee roadmap,” Tumwebaze said. “Under his leadership, Uganda strengthened its coffee quality standards, expanded farmer extension support systems, and positioned itself as one of the world’s most competitive coffee origins.”

The minister also highlighted Dr. Iyamulemye’s bold representation of African coffee interests on the global stage. He was known for strongly advocating for the correct classification of African coffees—particularly Uganda’s robusta and Ethiopia’s arabica—in international coffee bodies. Tumwebaze further credited him for helping to open new markets, including China.

With over 20 years of experience in agricultural development and corporate leadership, Dr. Iyamulemye leaves behind a legacy of major contributions to Uganda’s agricultural sector.

After completing graduate school, he served as programme director for a Food and Agriculture Organization–supported initiative promoting New Rice for Africa (NERICA) in Uganda.

In 2010, he was appointed National Programme Coordinator for two major EU-funded initiatives under the Office of the Prime Minister:

• The Northern Uganda Agriculture Livelihoods Recovery Programme (ALREP) worth €20 million, and
• The Karamoja Livelihoods Programme (KALIP) worth €15 million.

His leadership of UCDA began in 2016, and following a successful first term, the Board renewed his contract in 2021.

Under his stewardship, Uganda’s coffee earnings surged, reaching $1.9 billion, and the country’s coffee profile gained significant global visibility.

Insiders say Dr. Iyamulemye’s health worsened after the intense battle to save UCDA from being dissolved during the government’s agency rationalisation programme. Despite his efforts, Parliament approved the merger, and in December 2024 President Museveni signed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill into law, effectively folding UCDA back into the Ministry of Agriculture.

The emotional toll of the high-stakes policy fight, according to those close to him, weighed heavily during his final months.

Dr. Iyamulemye will be remembered as a visionary agricultural scientist and committed public servant whose work reshaped the coffee industry and uplifted thousands of farmers across Uganda.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.