Twelve coffee huller machines and one coffee pulping machine have been distributed to farmers and cooperatives in Kasese District in a move aimed at strengthening coffee value addition and improving production standards.
The distribution, carried out at Kasese Multipurpose Ground, is expected to benefit five farmer groups and several individual producers involved in coffee processing across the district. Major General (Rtd) David Kasura Kyomukama, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said the initiative has begun in Kasese and will gradually be rolled out across the country.
He explained that the program is currently operating under resource constraints but is intended to enhance coffee quality through improved primary value addition.
Doreen Katusiime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, said there are plans to promote Kasese coffee as part of Uganda’s tourism attraction strategy. She noted that although the ministry has not yet officially received coffee products from Kasese, people from other regions are already travelling to the area to source coffee, and the government intends to market the region’s coffee to boost tourism and trade.
Eng. Irene Pauline Batebe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, assured farmers that fuel supply for operating the machines will be prioritized, with expectations that fuel prices will reduce within five months to ease production costs.
Local coffee farmer Musunguzi Jostus said Kasese remains one of the leading producers of Arabica coffee in Uganda, adding that the new machines will improve coffee quality and expand market access for farmers.
Kabugho Josinta, a representative from Bukonzo Joint Cooperative Union, welcomed the government intervention, saying the equipment will help improve post-harvest handling and increase earnings for farmers in the region-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
