Uganda’s high-level policy dialogue on coffee sector has opened at Speke Resort Munyonyo highlighting the transformative potential of coffee.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the dialogue on December 17, 2024, Hajji Yunus Kakande, the Secretary to the Office of the President noted that Uganda’s coffee exports reached a record high of 9 million 60kg bags in the 2023/2024 financial year, generating $1.15 billion.
Kakande emphasized the importance of scaling up production and value addition to further boost economic growth.
“If we properly manage the coffee value chain, this sector can turn around Uganda’s economy.Uganda’s coffee is among the best in the world, and we must harness this reputation to its full potential,” Said Kakande.
He reminded stakeholders that coffee has been a key driver of Uganda’s economy since its introduction from the Ethiopian highlands in the late in the late 1890s.
He called on stakeholders to manage the coffee value chain effectively, leveraging Uganda’s reputation for high-quality coffee to revitalize the economy.
The Uganda’s High-Level Policy dialogue aims at guiding policy direction, strengthen institutions, and unite stakeholders to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Kakande also credited President Yoweri Museveni for his strategic vision and leadership in prioritising the coffee sector as a key driver for economic transformation.
He applauded Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) for their role in championing innovations within the coffee sector, which are already enhancing productivity and value addition.
Kakande urged for constructive discussions and actionable solutions to build a coffee sector that drives job creation, forex earnings, and economic transformation for Uganda.
