Uganda has achieved a historic milestone in its coffee industry, with exports surging to a record 8.2 million 60-kilogram bags valued at $2.3 billion (Shs8.1 trillion), according to new data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
The figures represent a 64 percent increase in value and a 30 percent rise in volume compared to the previous year, cementing Uganda’s position as Africa’s leading coffee exporter.
In September alone, Uganda shipped 844,949 bags worth US$218.6 million, marking a 56 percent increase in quantity and 48 percent growth in value year-on-year.
Building on this success, Uganda is showcasing its coffee, culture, and tourism brand at the Swiss International Holiday Expo (SIHE) 2025 in Lugano from October 31 to November 2, under the theme “From Bean to Beauty: Experience Uganda.”
Uganda’s participation is being coordinated by the Permanent Mission of Uganda to the United Nations in Geneva in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), and the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA).
It marks the first time the country is taking part in Switzerland’s flagship tourism and lifestyle exhibition, which attracts over 400 international exhibitors and more than 7,000 high-value visitors.
“Switzerland is one of the world’s leading coffee trading and consumption markets. Showcasing Uganda’s record coffee success here – alongside our tourism and investment potential – opens new frontiers for the country’s economic diplomacy,” said Ambassador Marcel Tibaleka, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.
Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Arthur Kafeero said Uganda’s coffee narrative goes beyond exports, linking the beverage to the country’s people, heritage, and landscape.
“Coffee is not just Uganda’s top export; it is also an experience that embodies our landscapes, our people, and our creativity,” he said. “Through Lugano, we are linking our finest coffee with our finest tourism stories.”
Switzerland’s dual reputation as a luxury travel hub and a center for global coffee trade makes it an ideal platform for Uganda’s emerging coffee tourism initiative—an experience that invites visitors to explore the country’s scenic coffee regions, including Mt Elgon, Bugisu, and the Rwenzori Mountains, through farm tours, tastings, and origin trails.
The Uganda Tourism Board is using the expo to promote Uganda’s wider tourism offering—from gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris to birding, mountain climbing, and cultural heritage tours.
With 11 percent of the world’s bird species, the source of the Nile, and year-round adventure opportunities, Uganda is positioning itself as a leading destination for travelers seeking authenticity, sustainability, and luxury.
“Uganda’s coffee success story reinforces our wider national brand – one that combines natural beauty, world-class products, and warm hospitality,” said Ambassador Tibaleka.
The Lugano showcase underscores Uganda’s growing focus on economic diplomacy, integrating agricultural exports, tourism, and investment promotion to attract international partnerships and diversify its export markets.
