Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has delivered over 58,000 coffee seedlings to local farmers in Ajuri County in Alebtong district.

This is the latest government initiative to promote coffee growing across the country.

Government Chief Whip-GCW Denis Hamson Obua, also the Ajuri County MP, welcomed the move, and told Nexus media that it will empower local people to eradicate poverty.

GCW Obua said some 120 farmers have received the consignment, and some have already planted it.

“As an exemplary farmer, I mobilized my farmers, who are interested in creating wealth, to embrace coffee planting with support from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority,” said GCW Obua.

Over the years, President Yoweri Museveni has remained steadfast in mobilizing Ugandans to grow coffee as a key strategy to create wealth and enhance the country’s economy.

Recently, while delivering the State of the Nation Address at Kololo Independence Grounds, President Museveni highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting the value addition of locally produced raw materials, including coffee.

Uganda, as a country, has the competitive advantage of having coffee all year round. Robusta coffee is number one in the world, so the country has put emphasis on marketing Fine Robusta as the demand is growing. We have put in place strategies to improve the quality of coffee processed by engaging brewers, buyers, and roasters in coffee competitions to add value to it,” said the President.

This has come at a time when Uganda is one of the few countries producing both Arabica and Robusta coffee.

The UCDA is dedicated to advancing coffee quality, value addition, increasing domestic coffee consumption, and enhancing Uganda Coffee marketing.