Uganda coffee leaders plan economic expansion
A two-day think tank in Ntungamo will explore coffee's role in industrialisation and tourism.
Uganda's coffee sector leaders, policymakers, and investors will convene on November 13 and 14 for the second Coffee Roundtable Think Tank in Ntungamo. The meeting aims to broaden the economic impact of coffee beyond farming and exports, focusing on industrialisation, tourism, and investment. Organisers want to move beyond measuring success solely by production volumes, export earnings, and farmer prices.
Dr Nelson O. Tugume, CEO of Inspire Africa Group, stated that Uganda must view coffee as a resource with potential across multiple sectors, suggesting opportunities in coffee tourism and local processing. He highlighted Mbale as a model for coffee tourism, where visitors could experience coffee culture and explore investment. "Perhaps the question is no longer how much coffee Uganda can produce, but how much of the global economy Uganda can build around coffee," Tugume said.
Africa Coffee Park, the host, will focus on unlocking opportunities, promoting value addition, and strengthening the coffee value chain to position Uganda as a global coffee player. The event will include senior government officials from trade, finance, agriculture, foreign affairs, tourism, and science ministries, alongside private sector representatives like tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa.