Product Description
Uganda Rwenzori Kisinga
THE RWENZORIS ARE FAMOUSLY KNOWN AS THE ‘MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON’. THEY STRETCH FOR 120KM ALONG THE WESTERN UGANDA BORDER WITH THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO .
Uganda lies in the heart of East Africa on the shores of Lake Victoria, straddles the equator and is the source of the Nile. Sir
Winston Churchill first described Uganda as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ , while admiring its “magnificent variety of form and colour,
profusion of brilliant life and its vast scale”. Benefiting from a bi-modal rainfall season and high altitudes, the country has a
pleasant climate all year round and is lush with greenery. The mountain ranges to the east and west are home to Uganda’s
Arabica farmers; Robusta is produced on the central plateau. The government of Uganda is promoting coffee production as
a key driver for rural development.
Processing and Quality Control
The farmers harvest their coffee by hand,ncarefully selecting the ripe cherries. The cherries are then pre-sorted before being
floated in a tank of water. The cherries which float are removed, leaving only the best cherries. These cherries are then sundried on raised tables inside purpose built poly-tunnels. Farmers carefully turn the cherries throughout the day ensuring uniform drying. Once dried to the required moisture content, the coffee is stored and processed the wet mill in Kisinga Town. After processing, the coffee beans then undergo a final removing any black beans or defects from the coffee. The coffee is then bagged and transported to a new dry mill in Namanve on the outskirts of Kampala. Here it is prepared for export through Mombasa. Many farmers choose to sell the fresh cherries after they have been sorted and floated, often with the assistance of the field team based out of Kisinga. This enables farmers to access quick payment for coffee and takes away the risk of processing coffee at their farm, many of whom are not well equipped to dry coffee. The cherries are delivered to the Wet mill in Kisinga Town where a team of trained workers are able to carry out the whole process to a high standard.
THE BAKONZO TRIBE, ARE PROUD AND STRONG PEOPLE THAT HAVE FARMED THE FOOTHILLS OF THE
RWENZORI FOR OVER 15 GENERATIONS
We aim to build long term relationships with groups and work closely with them to develop the value chain from farmer
through to roaster. The work in the Bakonzo County has only recently begun, but already we are assisting farmers with
better market information, improved prices for better quality and advice on how farmers can improve their primary
processing techniques. This area will soon become part of the Coffee Services program which aims to sustainably
increase coffee production and quality. Small changes making a huge impact.
Region | Rwenzori, Western Uganda
Altitude | 1200 – 2200 M.A.S.L
Processing | Hand picked , Floated , Sun dried
Harvest Date | August – December
Lead Farmer | Kananga Neckson
