National
A recent coffee scam has come to light, involving the so-called consortium led by entrepreneur Tugume Nelson. This consortium has allegedly received millions of dollars meant for coffee-related activities but has misused the funds. The details surrounding this issue are both intriguing and concerning, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the coffee sector.
“The events unfolded on a sunny afternoon in June 2021 when unexpected visitors arrived at my Rugyeyo Farm in Namayumba”, said Kabushenga.
Tugume Nelson, along with journalist Simon Kasyate, claimed they wanted to tour the coffee farm. However, it was later revealed that Nelson’s true intention was to have influential individuals present at his Coffee City set up in Ntinda.
Suspicion rose because Kabushenga had been avoiding Nelson due to his dubious character. Having worked in the media industry, he had heard unfavorable rumors about him. Nelson mentioned his partnership with Mastercard Foundation and PSF Uganda, under the Young Africa Works project, where he claimed to have been funded to create one million jobs. Shockingly, it was discovered that he had mismanaged a staggering UGX 900 million of their money without producing a single job opportunity.
Kabushenga revealed that, having opposed a draft Coffee Bill on Twitter in December 2019, became more involved in the coffee sector. It was during this time that the author discovered Nelson’s meeting with the President, where he had requested US$5 million for coffee marketing. Surprisingly, the President had insisted that the money be given to a consortium of industry players instead of an individual.
In September 2022, he was assigned the task of leading a formal coffee sector discussion, culminating in an engagement with a government team led by the Attorney General. However, at no point was the issue of money for the consortium mentioned during this meeting. Subsequently, Nelson took advantage of the opportunity and organized a larger meeting, claiming it was the launch of the Coffee Consortium. The author refused to participate and left the event. It was later revealed that Nelson was charging a hefty UGX 10 million for membership.
Further Investigations in early 2023, Kabushenga became involved in another initiative with legitimate coffee players and submitted a report to the Minister for Presidency. However, it was discovered that Nelson’s consortium had been given US$10 million, despite objections from sector managers and advice against it. The money was disbursed through MIST Science, with the assistance of a commissioner in the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, as well as PACE Uganda.
This coffee scam has exposed the lack of oversight and accountability in the industry. It is crucial for the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate Nelson’s actions and the disbursement of funds to ensure transparency and prevent further exploitation. The coffee sector, which plays a vital role in Uganda’s economy, deserves better governance and protection from such fraudulent activities.
