In a major boost to Uganda’s coffee value chain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries last Saturday handed over modern coffee value‑addition machines to farmer groups and coffee processors countrywide at Namalere in Kawanda, Wakiso District.  The equipment, namely Hullers, Wet mills and pulpers, was procured under the Department of Coffee Production and Development.

Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze, who was represented by State Minister Desire Muhooza, described the distribution of the machines as a deliberate government intervention to strengthen farmers’ cooperatives, associations, and local enterprises.

“Today we begin a new chapter where Uganda’s coffee is processed at source, marketed with pride, and consumed across the globe as a symbol of our nation’s potential,” Tumwebaze said.

The handover event marked yet another milestone in the journey to transform Uganda’s agricultural sector and to elevate coffee, the country’s leading export crop, into a higher-value commodity that benefits farmers, processors, and the nation at large.

Together, we should continue to add value, create wealth, and secure a future for farmers and the country.

Among the 12 farmer groups that received compact hullers for primary processing of dry coffee beans was Rugyeyo Farm Ltd, owned by Mr Robert Kabushenga.

Mr Kabushenga reflected on the 11-year coffee journey and thanked the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for considering Rugyeyo Farm Ltd as part of the value-addition project.

He added that he will provide subsidised service to the community and also maintain the machine. This implies provision of more jobs for locals at his farm. He added that he will start realising his long-held dream of doing everything – from crop to farm. Other farmer groups got wet processing machines and motorised pulpers.

Ms Muhooza cautioned farmers to take care of the machines for the benefit of the community and the country.