Minister Nameere Denies Any Wrongdoing in Masaka Coffee Seedlings Dispute

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reports that Hon. Justine Nameere Nsubuga, the Minister of State for Local Government and Masaka City Woman MP, has denied involvement in alleged wrongdoing connected to a government-supported coffee seedling supply dispute in Masaka City. In a statement issued Tuesday, Nameere said she did not supply seedlings and did not benefit from the programme, which she said followed her petition to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last year seeking support for local farmers.

According to the report, Nameere said Masaka City NRM Chairman Rogers Bulegeya accompanied her to the President and later presented himself as having millions of seedlings available, after which he allegedly secured the supply contract. She accused Bulegeya of failing to deliver on time and later proposing an improper arrangement to share proceeds, which she said she rejected. Nameere said she reported the matter to the President and was later authorised to complete distribution to intended beneficiaries.

The minister also rejected social media claims that she personally owes farmer Nanyange Cissy UGX 150 million. She said the amount relates to money allegedly owed by Bulegeya to 14 farmers who supplied seedlings, not to a debt owed by her. She added that she advised the State House Comptroller to process any payment only with Bulegeya and all affected farmers present, so suppliers could be paid directly.

Watchdog Uganda reported that Nameere tied the accusations to a wider campaign against her, including over her stance on alleged Parish Development Model fund theft. The publisher said Bulegeya had not publicly responded by publication time, leaving his account unavailable. The dispute matters because it touches on public agricultural support, supplier payment, and accountability in government programmes.