This milestone was confirmed by Daniel Ddamulira, chairperson of Mwanyi Terimba Limited’s board. The agreement follows closely on the heels of the rationalization of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) under the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The government, citing the high administrative costs of semi-autonomous agencies, merged UCDA’s functions into the ministry of Agriculture. This move is part of broader efforts to streamline service delivery and reduce fiscal pressure on the national treasury.
PARTNERSHIP WITH UCDA BOOSTS BUGANDA’S COFFEE INDUSTRY
Prior to the UCDA rationalization, Buganda kingdom had signed a memorandum of understanding with the authority to collaborate on increasing Uganda’s coffee exports to 20 million bags annually. UCDA supported this vision by providing 10 million coffee seedlings, which were distributed across the kingdom to bolster coffee farming efforts.
“It is true; we have secured a market in Asia, particularly China, to export Ugandan coffee beans. We signed an agreement with China Communication Construction Company (CCC), a state-owned enterprise, to supply coffee,” Ddamulira confirmed.
REGULATORY APPROVAL AND COMPLIANCE
The export agreement received formal clearance on November 14, 2024, through a letter from Dr Paul Mwambu, commissioner for Crop Inspection and Certification at Uganda’s National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO). The certification verified that Mwanyi Terimba Limited met all export standards as per the Plant Protection and Health Act 2016 and associated regulations.
“This approval, based on a comprehensive sanitary and phytosanitary systems (SPS) audit, confirms Mwanyi Terimba Limited’s compliance with international export requirements. The registration certificate is valid for one year, subject to renewal and periodic inspections to ensure continued adherence to standards,” the commissioner noted.
EXPANDING MARKETS AND PROCESSING CAPACITY
Ddamulira revealed that Mwanyi Terimba Limited is advancing plans to establish a coffee processing and value-addition facility in Buganda Kingdom. The company, which has already been exporting to markets such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sudan, views China as a key addition to its growing portfolio.
“Our coffee export operations are consistent with the recent changes following UCDA’s rationalization. We will supply coffee based on demand and contractual terms with our international partners,” Ddamulira stated.
Although the establishment of the processing factory is in its final stages, specific timelines for its completion remain undetermined.
MWANYI TERIMBA CAMPAIGN: A GRASSROOTS REVIVAL OF COFFEE FARMING
Mwanyi Terimba Limited stems from the Mwanyi Terimba campaign, an initiative launched by Buganda kingdom to reinvigorate coffee farming within the region. The campaign emphasized distributing coffee seedlings, supervising farmers, and reintroducing cooperatives to enhance productivity and value addition.
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga recounted the origins of the company in an interview, highlighting the kabaka’s directive to establish Mwanyi Terimba Limited to enable the kingdom’s direct participation in the coffee export market.
“The company is still young but has made significant strides. It now exports coffee to China, the UAE, Russia, and other countries. Our goal is to promote coffee farming, add value, and ensure Buganda plays a key role in Uganda’s coffee economy,” Katikkiro Mayiga stated.
Mwanyi Terimba Limited’s strategic partnerships and market expansions position it as a major player in Uganda’s coffee industry, reflecting Buganda kingdom’s commitment to revitalizing agriculture and boosting economic opportunities for its people.
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