Date: Sept. 8, 2025
If you’ve ever sipped a strong cup of Ugandan coffee, you know its bold, earthy flavor can bring a moment of warmth. But the roar behind that cup goes much deeper than the brew—it’s a story of tiny farms, family hands, fresh ideas, and global applause.
Uganda has long been associated with coffee—its fields dotted across hills and valleys, enjoyed mostly locally or in neighboring regions. But things are changing fast, and Uganda has now taken a powerful lead. In May 2025, the country proudly overtook Ethiopia as Africa’s top coffee exporter, sending nearly 800,000 60 kg bags of beans abroad in just one month! That’s over 7.4 million bags in a year, bringing in more than $2 billion.
Behind these numbers lies a quiet revolution—a shift from survival to global recognition—and a future that feels bold and optimistic.
This turnaround didn’t happen by chance. Since 2013, a national effort has helped rejuvenate aging coffee farms with disease-resistant, fast-growing seedlings. Through a strong partnership between the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (or UCDA) and the army-backed Operation Wealth Creation, farmers have been equipped with better tools, knowledge, and hope.
Agricultural policy became a team sport with the Coffee Roadmap of 2017, helping the country chase a lofty goal—20 million bags by 2030. Today’s production of 6–7 million bags, from just under 3 million in the 1960s, shows how far Uganda has come.
It’s not just about volume—Uganda is building a reputation for quality, especially in Arabica coffee. While Robusta still dominates (making up 85% of production), high-altitude Arabica farms—like those in the Bugisu region—are earning praise for floral and fruity cup notes.
Parts of the world, especially in Europe, are catching on. Italy alone buys nearly 40% of Uganda’s coffee exports. There’s growing buzz in markets like the UK, where specialty coffee fans are starting to seek out Ugandan beans.
Uganda isn't just selling green beans—it’s moving into processing them. The Luwero Coffee Park is being built to turn raw coffee into market-ready products, giving more value to the people who touch the beans first.
Programs like SAFE—a $35 million project—are helping farmers track every bag via GPS, embrace climate-smart growing methods, and get Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade certifications. That traceability means confidence for buyers and better pay for growers.
This coffee boom isn’t just about money—it’s changing lives. Coffee engages nearly 1.8 million households in Uganda, or millions of people across the value chain. That includes picking, transporting, processing—and baking that first cup.
One story that stands out is in Sironko, where women coffee farmers faced injustice: though they did much of the work, they didn't always see the pay. That changed when Meridah Nandudu started Bayaaya Specialty Coffee—offering higher prices to women and sharing profits fairly. Today, 75% of her registered farmers are women, and families are finding new trust and purpose.
It’s not all smooth roads. Coffee earnings soared in early 2025—February exports alone brought in $167.7 million, more than double last year’s total.
But global prices swing wildly, and Arabica yields dipped in some areas due to weather woes.
To stay strong, Uganda is investing in research, building resilience, and expanding its markets—so it doesn’t rely too much on one buyer or region.
As we trace a fresh path through Uganda’s coffee fields, we find more than beans. We find hope brewing in every farm—women earning a place at the table, young people becoming roasters and export experts, and a nation building value and pride, not just profit.
Ugandan coffee is no longer a humble harvest—it’s a rising star. And with careful care, quality, and community at its heart, it may lead the world in the years to come.
Let me know if you want to map local cooperatives, trust festivals, or find guides to visit farmers for an authentic coffee journey.
