Bukomansimbi, Uganda – May 14, 2025: The 1st Uganda-China Coffee Tour 2025 officially began with a vibrant visit to Kibinge Coffee Farmers’ Co-operative Society Ltd, marking a significant step toward strengthening agricultural ties between Uganda and China.
The delegation, comprising Ugandan officials, Chinese business representatives, and stakeholders in the coffee value chain, was warmly received in Kibinge Sub-county, Bukomansimbi District, where they were introduced to the operations and milestones of one of Uganda’s leading coffee cooperatives. The General Manager, Mr. Ssekyayi Ashiraf, delivered a comprehensive presentation detailing the cooperative’s structure, services, and impact on local livelihoods.
Founded in 1995 and officially registered in 2009, Kibinge Coffee has grown into a powerhouse in Robusta coffee production and export, boasting 2,439 active member farmers. The cooperative is Fair Trade certified (2011) and became a registered exporter in 2012. Its core business revolves around buying, processing, and exporting coffee, and in recent years, it has ventured into value addition through coffee roasting and grinding—a move aimed at capturing more value within Uganda.
Mr. Ssekyayi highlighted the organization’s wide-reaching support to farmers, which includes access to financial services, farm inputs, improved coffee seedlings, and modern processing facilities. The cooperative’s annual yield stands at approximately 4,683 metric tonnes of Fairly Average Quality (FAQ) Robusta coffee, grown over an estimated 4,878 acres.
Despite the achievements, Mr. Ssekyayi pointed out limited financing as a key challenge, restricting the cooperative’s ability to scale production and exports.
Uganda’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Oliver Wonekha, praised Kibinge Coffee for its commitment to quality and sustainability. “This cooperative is a shining example of how Ugandan farmers can produce premium Robusta coffee that meets both local and international standards,” she said. She encouraged deeper partnerships with Chinese investors, noting the vast market potential for Ugandan coffee in Asia.
The delegation also sampled the cooperative’s finished coffee products—beautifully packaged sachets that align with global consumer preferences—and enjoyed a cultural experience with the popular Ugandan small bananas known as “Ndizzi.”
Later in the day, the team visited Ki-Nywa Coffee Farm in Katyaza, Lyantonde District, where they were exposed to best practices in coffee agronomy, including irrigation techniques, mulching, fertilizer application, and planting methods. The farm also highlighted Uganda’s fertile volcanic soils, the use of nitrogen-fixing Albizia trees, and the crucial role that cooperatives play in maintaining coffee quality from farm to cup.
The Uganda-China Coffee Tour 2025 aims to promote trade and investment, enhance agro-technical knowledge sharing, and foster long-term partnerships that can uplift Uganda’s coffee sector and connect it more deeply with international markets.