Uganda is stepping up efforts to transform its coffee industry through local roasting, value addition and product innovation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) partnering with private sector players to strengthen coffee roasting standards and position Ugandan coffee more competitively in international markets.
The initiative will take centre stage this week at the Uganda Specialty Coffee Roasting Masterclass, scheduled for Thursday, November 5, in Kampala. The high-level training is expected to bring together more than 50 coffee value-chain actors, alongside structured field visits to farmers and stakeholder engagements.
The collaborative initiative brings together MAAIF and private sector partners, including Nonda Coffee, Littlefarms and Clarke Farms, in a joint effort to build local roasting expertise, promote value addition and accelerate the export of finished coffee products.
Beyond improving roasting techniques, the partnership seeks to demonstrate the commercial potential of transforming Uganda’s coffee into innovative, differentiated products that can compete in both domestic and international markets.
Nonda Coffee is among the private sector players championing this value-addition agenda through the development of innovative coffee products and distinctive blends, including Nyanja, Mulondo, Ntangawizi and Kitiko Blends.
These products reflect the growing opportunity to move beyond traditional green coffee exports by developing finished products that showcase local creativity, product innovation and the versatility of Ugandan coffee. Through such initiatives, Nonda Coffee is contributing to efforts to retain more value within the country while strengthening Uganda’s identity as a producer of quality coffee and innovative coffee products.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kampala, Mr. Gordon Katwirenabo, the Assistant Commissioner for Coffee at MAAIF, emphasized that while Uganda grows some of the finest coffee globally, deliberate value addition is required to maximize foreign exchange earnings.
“One of the primary challenges we face is achieving the precise roast profiles demanded by the European market,” Katwirenabo stated. “Our goal is to ensure that Ugandan coffee is sourced at the origin, roasted locally, and enters global markets as a finished product without losing its distinct national identity.”
He reiterated that the government remains highly receptive to win-win partnerships with private enterprises to boost the sector’s profitability and competitiveness.
The masterclass will feature international expertise, including Nicholas Fleck of Austria-based Fleck Coffee, who is serving as one of the lead trainers. Fleck noted that Uganda’s coffee requires strategic global marketing and targeted market reach to secure its rightful premium position on the world stage.
“Through this training, we will share international roasting standards and practical global experiences with local roasters to systematically upgrade the entire value chain,” Fleck said.
Tom Kalyesubula, the Founder of Littlefarms, echoed these sentiments, describing the masterclass as a foundational step towards global recognition.
“The masterclass aims to create awareness and establish baseline standards for roasting specifically tailored to the European market. It is absolutely critical to understand who you are roasting for and precisely what their palate demands,” Kalyesubula noted.
Beyond the technical aspects of roasting, product development and logistics, project partners emphasized the socio-economic impact of the initiative on rural communities, particularly coffee-growing households.
Mark Wamala, Head of Communication and Brand at Nonda Coffee, maintained that the ultimate success of the partnership will be measured by its impact on primary producers.
“Whatever we do here is aimed at transforming the lives of the farmers, who form the vast majority of this industry,” Wamala stated.
“Success at the top of the value chain must translate into tangible financial benefits for our farmers. We want our people to understand this crop intimately and know exactly what is required to extract the highest possible market value.”
Nonda Coffee’s commitment to value addition and innovative products, including Nyanja, Mulondo, Ntangawizi and Kitiko Blends, further reinforces the importance of building a coffee industry that does not simply produce and export raw materials but also develops finished products capable of commanding greater value.
The emphasis on innovation and local processing also creates opportunities for businesses to develop stronger brands, diversify their product offerings and access new consumer segments while contributing to the broader transformation of Uganda’s coffee industry.
This strategic push for local value addition comes at a critical time for the sector, as coffee remains Uganda’s leading agricultural export commodity and a vital pillar of the national economy.
According to industry data from MAAIF, the country exports between 5.5 million and 6.5 million 60kg bags annually, generating upwards of $1 billion in foreign exchange earnings. However, over 95 percent of these exports have historically left the country as raw, green beans.
By shifting the focus towards localized roasting, specialized processing, product innovation and stronger market linkages, the partnership aims to help Uganda capture a larger share of the multi-billion-dollar global coffee market and secure better prices for its estimated 1.8 million coffee-farming households.
Ultimately, the Kampala Coffee Roasting Masterclass represents an important step towards building a more competitive and inclusive coffee industry, where improved roasting standards, locally developed products and stronger international market access translate into increased value for businesses and better livelihoods for the farmers who sustain the sector.