Investors visiting Uganda have commended the Ugandan government for the ongoing construction of the Coffee Africa Park in Ntungamo.
The state-of-the-art facility initiated by President Yoweri Museveni, aims to transform Uganda’s coffee sector by introducing value addition processes that have long been lacking in the country’s coffee production.
Nelson Tugume, the CEO of Coffee Africa, during the”Sunshine Coffee Tour” shared the impact the park could have on local farmers and the broader Ugandan economy.
“We have been growing coffee for so many years, but we haven’t profited from it due to value issues. Despite our grandparents and parents growing coffee, we grew up in poverty. If only we had a factory to add value to our coffee, they would have gotten better prices. This is the story we are changing,” Tugume said.
Tugume expressed his gratitude towards the Chinese investors, thanking them for their interest in Uganda’s coffee industry. He emphasized the importance of their involvement in boosting Uganda’s coffee profile on the international stage.
“The Chinese are our friends. In fact, most of the work at the park is being done by Chinese companies. This collaboration will solidify the friendship Uganda has with China,” Tugume said.
The Deputy Head of Mission at the Uganda Embassy in Beijing, Maj General Geoffrey Muheesi pledged support from the Ugandan Embassy in China to attract more investors and bolster the coffee sector’s growth.
“This is one of the greatest works done to add value to coffee. We thank you for the great work done, and we will continue to support you in every way possible,” Gen Muheesi said.
The park’s success could serve as a model for agricultural value addition across Africa, offering farmers a chance to earn more from their produce and positioning Uganda as a leading player in the global coffee market.
The Coffee Africa Park is a multifaceted development, featuring a value addition hub, research and reserve development, a coffee farm, a coffee shop, a convention center, an academy, and even a sports center.
Once fully operational, the park aims to serve coffee farmers from across Uganda and the rest of Africa.
