Coffee Farmers Battle Rising Theft During Peak Harvest Season in Ntungamo

Coffee farmers in Ntungamo District are grappling with a surge in theft cases targeting ripe cherries and dried beans during the peak harvest season, prompting calls for stronger security measures, improved policing and protection of household incomes.

NTUNGAMO — Coffee farmers in Ntungamo District have raised alarm over a sharp rise in theft cases during the ongoing peak harvest season, with criminals targeting ripe coffee cherries, dried beans and in some instances cutting and fleeing with entire coffee-bearing branches.

As harvesting intensifies across the district, homesteads, compounds and verandas have been turned into temporary drying grounds filled with freshly picked coffee.

However, the bumper harvest has also attracted thieves, leaving farmers increasingly worried about losses.

Farmers say coffee is being stolen directly from gardens, stores and drying areas around homes, with some suspects reportedly breaking branches loaded with cherries and escaping before being caught.

“Personally my coffee was stolen and I tried to find those thieves,” said Abias Katushabe, a resident.

Other farmers described more destructive forms of theft that leave long-term damage to coffee trees.

“No tree is left standing. They break them before the coffee ripens and steal it, and at times take the branches with them,” said Allen Kyasiimire, a farmer.

Coffee dealers also report similar incidents, saying thieves strike quickly whenever opportunity arises.

“The thieves are not easy. Just a step out, they take all the coffee,” said Savior Nuwamanya, a coffee dealer in Nyakyera.

Some residents have also alleged challenges when seeking assistance from security agencies, claiming that they are often asked to pay facilitation fees before police can respond, particularly in Nyakyera Town Council. They say this has left many vulnerable and weakened trust in law enforcement.

“When you go to police, all they want is money, which we would be getting from coffee. But now when the thieves have already harvested the coffee which is our source of money, we are left with no alternative source,” said Katushabe.

“Police asks for Shs50,000 for transport, yet as an ordinary person whose coffee has been stolen, you find it hard to raise that money,” added farmer Benon Rwijungu.

In response, Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner Miriam Mugisha Kagaiga warned coffee thieves against targeting farmers’ produce, saying authorities will take firm action against offenders.

She also urged large-scale coffee farmers to strengthen security by installing surveillance cameras and deploying guards to protect their farms.

“Farmers who are in coffee, try to install cameras in your farms. But if you don't put cameras, get people to guard your farm,” Kagaiga said.

She further encouraged farmers to escalate unresolved cases beyond local administrative levels where responses are inadequate.

Coffee remains one of Ntungamo District’s most important cash crops, and farmers are now calling for stronger community policing and coordinated security efforts to safeguard the harvest and protect household incomes during the peak season.

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