EU boosts Uganda’s coffee sector with US$624K facility to enhance exports, sustainability
UGANDA – The European Union has unveiled a US$624,000 coffee processing facility in Uganda’s Mityana district, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening the country’s coffee and timber industries.
Funded through a 600,000 Euro EU matching grant, the state-of-the-art plant serves 26 cooperatives and supports the livelihoods of 15,000 households.
The investment underscores Europe’s strategic partnership with Uganda, which exports approximately 70% of its coffee to EU nations, particularly Italy and Germany.
The Mityana facility boasts modern infrastructure, including offices, a laboratory, a coffee storage shed, a cleaning, hulling, and grading unit, and a mechanical dryer. These upgrades significantly enhance production capacity and quality, positioning Uganda to meet growing international demand.
The plant is projected to benefit 60,000 farmers across Mityana, Kassanda, Mubende, and Kiboga districts by enabling direct exports to the EU market.
During a guided tour attended by EU and member state officials, the initiative was hailed as a milestone in improving export capabilities and livelihoods.
Tony Mugoya, CEO of the Uganda Coffee Farmers Alliance (UCFA), expressed gratitude for the EU’s support, noting that matching grants have facilitated the construction of advanced processing facilities and provided farmers with vital training in agronomy and forestry.
“Their collaboration has been instrumental in adding value to Ugandan coffee,” Mugoya said at the launch.
However, Uganda’s coffee sector faces challenges, including rapid deforestation and climate change, which threaten traditional growing patterns and compliance with stringent EU regulations like the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), effective in 2026.
Addressing these concerns, Mugoya emphasized UCFA’s proactive measures: “We’ve developed a robust traceability system, with 100% farmer registration targeted by December. This ensures full compliance with the EUDR.”
The EU is also investing in sustainable forestry to tackle environmental and economic pressures. Through initiatives like MARKUP and CoCoDev, the Union supports comprehensive value chain development, from smallholder farmers to certification.
The Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation in Uganda highlighted: “Our focus on forestry and coffee production reflects our commitment to sustainable economic growth in Western Uganda, benefiting thousands of households.”
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