Uganda President Museveni pledges coffee processing facility in Ibanda district
Museveni commits to coffee processing facility, free seedlings, and Parish Development Model support to increase productivity and household earnings.
UGANDA- Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to establish a coffee processing facility in Ibanda District, aiming to boost productivity, enhance quality, and increase household incomes through value addition.
Ibanda is a major coffee-producing district, cultivating both Arabica and Robusta varieties, with Arabica thriving in the high-altitude ranges of the Rwenzori Mountain ecosystem.
Speaking at a rally, Museveni highlighted the importance of empowering local farmers. “You, the people of Ibanda, already know what to do. Therefore, I will help you establish a coffee processing facility to add value to your coffee,” he said.
The President also reaffirmed government support under the Parish Development Model (PDM), including the provision of free coffee seedlings from both government nursery beds and his personal nurseries at Kisozi.
“We shall continue with the PDM money and also give you free coffee seedlings from the government nursery beds that we shall establish,” Museveni stated. The PDM allows households to invest in poultry, pigs, goats, and other ventures to enhance livelihoods.
Official statistics presented at the event indicate strong PDM implementation in Ibanda District. The district’s 40 PDM SACCOs received UGX 14.39 billion (US$3.999M), of which UGX 12.39 billion (86.07%) was disbursed to 12,391 households.
Ibanda Municipality’s 21 PDM SACCOs received UGX 7.50 billion (US$2.08M), with UGX 6.45 billion (85.96%) distributed to 6,454 households. In total, the district and municipality have received UGX 21.9 billion (US$6.09M), with officials urged to ensure remaining households also benefit.
Museveni reminded citizens that development encompasses infrastructure like schools, roads, and hospitals, while wealth creation is a personal responsibility.
He emphasized the 4-acre model from the 1996 manifesto, encouraging farmers to allocate one acre each to coffee, fruits, food crops, and zero-grazing livestock, using backyards for poultry, piggery, or fish farming.
Uganda’s coffee sector has seen strong growth, with exports expanding to China through a partnership with Cotti Coffee, a leading Chinese coffeehouse brand.
September shipments rose 59% year-on-year, totaling 844,949 60-kg bags, up from 532,212 bags in the same month last year, supported by favorable harvests in central and eastern regions, according to MAAIF data.
The coffee processing facility and ongoing PDM support are expected to strengthen Ibanda’s coffee value chain, increase farmer earnings, and further enhance Uganda’s position in the global coffee market.
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