KAMPALA, UGANDA — Allegations surrounding the UGX 37 billion earmarked for coffee value addition, previously linked to Presidential Advisor Odrek Rwabwogo, have been proven false, with emerging evidence pointing to Nelson Tugume, the leader of The Coffee Investment Consortium Uganda (CICU), as the primary beneficiary of the funds.

For months, the internet has been awash with accusations falsely claiming that Rwabwogo, a key figure in the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), personally benefited from the funds.

However, sources confirm that neither Rwabwogo nor PACEID ever received the UGX 37 billion. The money was, in fact, disbursed to a consortium of 21 coffee companies led by Tugume.

The back-and-forth allegations have been widely seen as an attempt to tarnish Rwabwogo’s reputation and undermine his efforts at PACEID. The truth, however, tells a different story. In a State House meeting last year, Tugume, representing CICU, requested UGX 37 billion (USD 10 million) from President Museveni to help export processed coffee to new markets, particularly in the Balkans, created by geopolitical shifts. In response, the President instructed that the funds be disbursed through Uganda Development Bank (UDB), intending to fast-track coffee shipments.

However, Tugume and his consortium later appealed to the President, citing slow banking processes, and successfully lobbied for the funds to be released directly to them. This move has since raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the consortium.

Some of the key players in the consortium, including prominent figures like Jackie Arinda of Jada Coffee, Kwezi Kutesa of Kwezi Coffee, and Gerald Katabazi of Volcano Coffee, have since distanced themselves from Tugume, citing his failure to account for the money.

These revelations have led to growing public outrage, with calls for Tugume and his consortium to explain how the funds were used. Meanwhile, Rwabwogo has been exonerated from any involvement in the financial transactions, with stakeholders emphasizing that the allegations against him were baseless and intended to damage his reputation.

As the pressure mounts, those seeking accountability are being urged to direct their questions to Tugume and the 21 companies under his leadership. The matter has reignited discussions on the need for stricter oversight of government funds allocated to private ventures, particularly in key sectors like coffee, which is vital to Uganda’s economy.

The UGX 37 billion scandal serves as a reminder that transparency and accountability are essential in fostering trust between the government and the private sector, particularly in initiatives aimed at driving export growth and industrial development.