Ugandan government representatives hosted a group of coffee buyers, roasters, and investors from the United Kingdom and Ireland in Kampala. According to Nile Post, this engagement was part of a familiarisation trip intended to allow European stakeholders to observe the local coffee industry directly. The event occurred at the Marriott Hotel on Monday afternoon, with the primary objective of strengthening commercial ties and addressing declining market share in the UK.
Gordon Katwirenabo, a senior official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, addressed the attendees. He highlighted the scale of the UK market, noting it consumes roughly 103 million cups of coffee daily. Katwirenabo described Uganda as the continent's top Robusta producer and its second-largest coffee grower overall. He noted that coffee cultivation spans 126 of the country's 146 districts, serving as a vital income source for many households. The official stated that the sector is a strategic economic asset supporting millions of livelihoods.
The government aims to boost output from 3.5 million 60-kilogram bags in 2017 to 20 million by 2030. Nile Post reported that recent exports reached 8.1 million bags, valued at US$2.1 billion. However, officials stressed the need to shift away from exporting raw green beans towards more profitable processed products. Katwirenabo encouraged investors to fund modern processing plants, packaging units, and commercial farming operations. He also pointed to the potential of the East African Community market, which serves about 300 million people, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Richard Kabonero, a senior diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke about the diplomatic foundations of the partnership. He argued that the visit showed how long-standing ties with London could lead to concrete commercial deals. Kabonero noted that agriculture is a key pillar of the national economy, with the government focusing on expanding exports and creating jobs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is collaborating with overseas missions to convert these international meetings into tangible economic gains for the country.