Government of Uganda has stepped up efforts to commercialize agriculture and transform rural livelihoods through a new initiative focused on coffee value addition in Kasese District.
The project, titled “Enhancing the Commercialization of Agriculture for Socio-Economic Transformation: A Case of Value Addition through Coffee Processing in Kasese District,” is part of a broader whole-of-government approach aimed at strengthening public service delivery and promoting agro-industrialization.
Speaking during the official handover of coffee processing equipment to local cooperatives at Kasese Multipurpose Hall, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, said the initiative is designed to serve as a model for integrated rural development.
“This intervention brings together coffee value addition, agro-industrialization, and tourism to create a sustainable pathway for socio-economic transformation,” he said. “By strengthening post-harvest handling and promoting domestic coffee consumption, we are empowering farmers, improving incomes, and enhancing Uganda’s competitiveness in the global coffee market.”
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Kasese District Local Government and seeks to address long-standing challenges faced by coffee farmers, including limited access to processing facilities and weak market linkages.
The event was presided over by a high-level delegation of government officials, underscoring the multi-sectoral nature of the project. These included Hajj Yunus Kakande, Secretary in the Office of the President, and Doreen Katusiime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
Officials emphasized that the integration of agriculture and tourism presents a unique opportunity to showcase Kasese’s rich coffee heritage while creating additional income streams for local communities.
Through the provision of modern processing equipment, farmer cooperatives are expected to improve the quality and value of their coffee, enabling them to access better-paying markets both locally and internationally.
Stakeholders noted that proper utilization of the equipment will be critical in advancing Uganda’s broader agro-industrialization agenda, reducing post-harvest losses, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
The government has identified coffee as a strategic commodity in driving export earnings and rural development. This latest intervention signals a continued commitment to transitioning farmers from subsistence agriculture to commercial production, with value addition at the center of that transformation.
Local leaders and farmers have welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that it will enhance productivity, stabilize incomes, and position Kasese as a key hub in Uganda’s coffee value chain.
As implementation begins, attention will now turn to capacity building, cooperative strengthening, and ensuring that farmers fully benefit from the opportunities created under the program.