Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has promised to raise the price of Arabica coffee from the current Shs15,000 to between Shs60,000 and Shs70,000 per kilogram if elected president, through what he described as strategic agricultural and market reforms aimed at empowering farmers.
Nandala, who hails from the Bugisu subregion, received a heroic welcome during his campaign trail in Namisindwa and Bududa districts, where thousands of supporters lined the roads to cheer him on.
The FDC presidential flag bearer urged his home region to unite behind him and deliver a decisive block vote in the forthcoming general elections.
Addressing supporters, Nandala said his government would ensure Bugisu Arabica coffee gains global recognition and access to premium markets by listing it on the New York Board of Trade.
“Well, we want to state our coffee is the best in the whole world,” Nandala said.
“On the New York board, it’s not there—it’s totally extinct. Most people are taking our coffee to blend with other coffees. The right price for our coffee should be over Shs60,000 to Shs70,000 a kilo.”
He vowed to correct what he called years of marginalization of Bugisu coffee farmers.
“When I become president, I will ensure our coffee gets the best price and it will be on the New York board,” he said, adding that Kenya’s Arabica coffee fetches higher prices because it is already listed internationally.
“When they want to blend theirs, they come and pick ours. This is unfair,” he said.
However, coffee analyst Mathias Nabutele challenged Nandala’s claim, saying Bugisu Arabica is already listed on the New York Board of Trade under sustainable standard codes.
“Bugisu is Arabica coffee—he can do that now,” Nabutele said, adding that improving market access requires strengthening cooperatives and enforcing quality standards rather than political promises.
Nandala said his broader agricultural reform agenda will focus on value addition, cooperative empowerment, and fair trade policies to ensure farmers get full value for their produce.
