By Charlotte Amuge
Uganda’s agriculture and coffee sectors are mourning the death of Dr Emmanuel Niyibigira Iyamulemye, the former Executive Director of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, who died on 18 November 2025.
News of his passing prompted tributes from senior national figures who described him as a central figure in Uganda’s coffee transformation.
Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze said he received the news “with deep sorrow,” praising Dr Iyamulemye for his role in shaping Uganda’s coffee roadmap and defending the country’s position in international coffee forums. Tumwebaze said he was instrumental in improving quality standards, expanding extension services and opening markets such as China. “He was a bold, firm and intelligent officer,” he said, extending condolences to the family and the coffee fraternity.
Former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said the country had lost “a proud Munyakigezi and patriotic Ugandan.” He noted that during Dr Iyamulemye’s tenure, Uganda reached a record 8.2 million bags of coffee and 2.4 billion dollars in earnings. Rugunda said his work with Operation Wealth Creation also supported farmers with seedlings and strengthened household incomes.
Buganda Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga remembered him for his role in the 2017 cooperation agreement between UCDA and the Buganda Kingdom under the Emmwanyi Terimba initiative, which helped raise coffee production in the region. Mayiga described him as humble and deeply committed to his work.
Odrek Rwabwogo, chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, said he was mourning the loss of a colleague who contributed significantly to Uganda’s export strategy. He recalled long working sessions with Dr Iyamulemye in 2022 as they explored pathways to grow Uganda’s exports, saying he provided clarity, technical depth and consistent support on international missions. Rwabwogo said he was “a maverick thinker who meant well for his country.”
About Dr Iyamulemye
Dr Iyamulemye was an agricultural scientist with more than 15 years of experience in programme design and delivery. He previously coordinated EU funded agricultural programmes in Northern Uganda and Karamoja under the Office of the Prime Minister and earlier served as Programme Manager with the Food and Agriculture Organization.
He held a PhD and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University, and an MBA from Uganda Martyrs University.
