With coffee exports contributing Shs 8.2 trillion to Uganda’s GDP, stakeholders are calling on farmers to step up and produce high-quality coffee that meets international standards, ensuring better prices in global markets.
The call came from Kenneth Barigye, CEO of MT Harvest Coffee and Vice Chairman of the newly formed Commercial Coffee Producers Association of Uganda (CCPAU), during a press conference at Fairway Hotel. The association aims to unite coffee stakeholders and boost Uganda’s visibility in the international coffee arena.
“When exporters and farmers agree on and maintain common quality standards, it’s not about partisanship—it’s about growth. Consistent, high-quality coffee builds trust with buyers, allows us to command better prices, and opens doors to financing and business expansion,” Barigye said.
CCPAU’s mission is clear: improve coffee quality and productivity, enhance Uganda’s global reputation, increase producer margins, strengthen collective bargaining, and support growth across the coffee value chain. The association builds on years of private sector collaboration under the UK Trade Partnership Programmes (UKTP), implemented by the International Trade Centre with support from the British High Commission.
Ian Clarke, Chairperson of CCPAU, urged farmers to embrace quality for better livelihoods: “I have been growing moist Robusta for nine years. Because of its consistent quality, my coffee commands premium prices. Buyers return specifically for it. This proves a simple truth: high-quality coffee brings repeat buyers and higher incomes.”
Clarke added that the association will share experience across the coffee value chain to ensure Ugandan coffee is recognized globally, just like Ethiopian or Kenyan coffee. He highlighted that inconsistency in quality remains a major challenge.
“Buyers encounter inconsistency when they come here. Our message is simple: produce high-quality coffee, and you will earn better prices. This starts at the grassroots, with farmers learning good practices,” Clarke said.
He stressed the importance of adopting modern farming methods, noting that coffee farming is not rocket science but requires updated practices. CCPAUG will act as a knowledge-sharing platform to help farmers improve production and quality across the value chain.
“Value addition isn’t just roasting. Producing high-quality coffee itself adds value—it earns farmers better prices,” Clarke added.
Mirembe Mutesa of Dream Coffee highlighted the association’s potential to position Ugandan coffee as a differentiated, single-origin product in global markets.
“This strategy raises the value of Ugandan coffee while retaining intellectual and commercial ownership within the country. By improving quality and building a strong identity, farmers and exporters benefit directly,” Mutesa said.
She added that industry-led quality standards reduce the government’s enforcement burden, as exporters are commercially motivated to comply. Specialty coffee markets can fetch up to $80 per kilogram, compared to $12–$15 for conventional coffee in the UK, representing a major opportunity for Uganda.
British High Commissioner to Uganda H.E. Lisa Chesney praised the creation of CCPAUG as a landmark outcome of the UKTP programme, signaling a shift from external support to producer-led leadership.
“Coffee is one of Uganda’s top exports, and the UK is proud to help Uganda move further up the value chain, exporting high-quality products and building sustainable global market links,” she said.
Chesney noted that the UK consumes 98 million cups of coffee daily and urged Ugandan exporters to leverage strong institutions, credible private sector leadership, and partnerships like CCPAUG to sustain growth beyond any single programme.
