(Paris) – Uganda’s coffee industry celebrated a major success this week, as Ugandan coffee roasters brought home a total of 15 awards from the 10th International Competition for “Originally Roasted Coffees” held in Paris, France. Hosted by the Agency for the Valorisation of Agricultural Products (AVPA), the event awarded Ugandan coffees with three Gold, one Silver, three Bronze, and eight Gourmet Medals, marking a significant recognition of the quality and distinctiveness of Ugandan coffee.
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) played a key role in supporting the 12 Ugandan coffee roasters who participated. Among the award-winning brands were Rubanga Coffee, Gorilla Highlands Coffee, Volcafe Uganda, Sasa Coffee, and Great Lakes Coffee House Blend, all of which demonstrated exceptional quality and secured medals at the event. The competition, which included coffee producers from across the globe, highlighted Uganda’s growing presence in the international coffee market.
The news of Team Uganda’s success quickly spread on social media, with coffee enthusiasts and supporters congratulating UCDA and the coffee roasters. “UCDA’s performance is extremely nice, congratulations!” read one tweet, echoing the positive sentiments shared by the industry and the public.
| Award Breakdown for Uganda | Number of Medals |
|---|---|
| Gold | 3 |
| Silver | 1 |
| Bronze | 3 |
| Gourmet | 8 |
| Total Medals Won | 15 |
Industry leaders praised UCDA’s success but also expressed concern over proposed government changes that could impact the agency’s future. Under the government’s rationalisation plans, UCDA is expected to be merged into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF). Many stakeholders fear that this move could hinder UCDA’s efficient support for the coffee sector. Mun Richards, a prominent figure in the industry, voiced his concerns, stating, “Say no to rationalisation; MAAIF is not going to add anything but will instead lower the performance. We are proud of Team Uganda coffee always doing us wonders.”
Other industry members echoed this sentiment, including Wilson Muhindo, who described the restructuring as “a big blow to coffee farmers” due to the potential bureaucratic challenges associated with larger government ministries. “Our coffee is headed for ‘DEATH,’” Muhindo warned, expressing fears that progress made by UCDA could be stalled if the agency’s operations become subject to a new administrative structure.
Despite these concerns, many leaders within the coffee sector are optimistic about Uganda’s growing international reputation. Ankole Coffee Farmers Union chairperson, Sam Mugabi, described Uganda’s achievement at the Paris competition as a “big milestone for Ugandan coffee.” Mugabi noted that while Uganda was once known for producing lower-quality coffee, efforts by UCDA to enforce quality standards have transformed the industry, allowing Uganda to compete on the global stage.
Uganda Coffee Federation CEO, Martin Maraka, also applauded the recent success. “Well done on continuing to improve coffee quality and participating in such contests because many companies foot their own bills to subscribe to these competitions. This puts Uganda on the world map,” Maraka stated, underlining the importance of Uganda’s active engagement in international coffee competitions.
The AVPA, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to recognizing quality and enhancing the value of agricultural products, including coffee. Its annual coffee competition brings together producers, roasters, and enthusiasts who celebrate excellence and promote the unique qualities of each country’s coffee production.
