By Darlington Mabonga
Coffee farmers have called on the government to strengthen technical support for the agricultural sector to help producers access quality seedlings, genuine pesticides, affordable financial services, storage facilities, irrigation and reliable markets.
The farmers said these interventions are important if Uganda is to increase coffee production, improve household incomes and maintain its position in the global coffee market.
The call was made on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during the opening of the Uganda Coffee and Cocoa Expo 2026 at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
Senfuuka Alex, a coffee farmer from the Greater Masaka region, said farmers continue to face several challenges that affect their ability to increase production and earn better incomes.
He cited the availability of poor-quality or counterfeit agricultural inputs, limited storage facilities, high costs of financing, inadequate irrigation and difficulties in accessing markets at the right time.
“Farmers need timely access to quality inputs, affordable financing, irrigation and markets if we are to produce enough and meet international standards,” Senfuuka said.
He also called for stronger support for farmers to improve their bargaining power and reduce the challenges they face when selling their produce through informal market channels.
Senfuuka welcomed the government’s decision to remove taxes on agricultural machinery and related implements, saying the move could make it easier for farmers to mechanise production and improve productivity.
The three-day expo and high-level conference is being held under the theme, “Empowering Uganda’s Coffee Industry: Innovation, Sustainability and Global Reach.”
The event has brought together farmers, coffee and cocoa producers, agro-processors, exporters, manufacturers, technical service providers, legislators, academics, tourism players and other stakeholders. International delegates from the global coffee industry are also attending.
State Minister for Trade David Bahati said Uganda’s coffee exports had reached about $2.5 billion, describing the performance as a sign of continued growth in the sector.
He said the government would continue providing technical and logistical support while increasing sensitisation on the coffee value chain, from production at farm level to processing, marketing and export.
Bahati said strengthening every stage of the value chain was necessary if farmers were to benefit more from the growing international demand for Ugandan coffee.
Stephen Asiimwe, chief executive officer of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), said climate-related challenges had also affected farmers.
He said a prolonged dry spell between May and July had caused many coffee trees to dry up in some areas, resulting in losses for farmers.
Asiimwe said PSFU was increasingly engaging with the agricultural sector because coffee, cocoa and tourism have significant potential to create jobs, increase incomes and support Uganda’s economic growth.
He said the private sector body would use its advocacy role to push for stronger support in areas such as irrigation, quality planting materials, agricultural inputs, value addition and market access.
Jackie Kemirembe, chairperson of the expo and conference organising committee, said the event was created to bring together stakeholders from the coffee, cocoa and tourism sectors to identify challenges and discuss practical solutions.
She said the organisers intend to make the expo an annual event to provide stakeholders with a regular platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships and finding ways to improve livelihoods.
Peter Kasirye, president of the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association and head of micro and medium enterprises at PSFU, said farmers needed more information and training to improve productivity.
Kasirye said government and private sector players should work together to strengthen farmers’ capacity in areas including the use of quality seedlings and pesticides, post-harvest handling, storage, value addition and access to markets.
He said better support for small-scale producers would help Uganda unlock more value from its agricultural products and create opportunities for small businesses along the value chain.
The expo has also provided a platform for exhibitors to showcase new technologies and services for coffee production, processing and marketing, while farmers and businesses are using the event to establish new commercial relationships.
