Former UCDA Boss Dr Emmanuel Iyamulemye Dies at 55

Former Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) Managing Director Dr Emmanuel Iyamulemye Niyibigira has died, leaving the country’s agricultural sector in mourning. Dr Iyamulemye, who passed away after a long illness, was widely regarded as a transformative figure in Uganda’s coffee industry. Appointed in 2016, he spearheaded major reforms that strengthened coffee quality standards, expanded support for farmers, and opened new international markets for Ugandan coffee. A highly trained agricultural scientist with a PhD from Wageningen University and an MBA from Uganda Martyrs University, he previously led several national and international development programs before taking over UCDA. Tributes have poured in from government officials, including the Minister of Agriculture, who praised him as a bold, intelligent leader who fought to elevate Uganda’s robusta coffee on the global stage. His death comes at a critical moment for the sector, as UCDA transitions into the Ministry of Agriculture, marking the end of an era shaped significantly by his leadership.