UGANDA JOINS SWISS COFFEE TRADE ASSOCIATION

Daily monitor

Uganda has been admitted to the Swiss Coffee Trade Association (SCTA), a move the Ministry of Agriculture says will strengthen the country’s access to international coffee markets and deepen collaboration with global coffee traders and investors.

Uganda was admitted to the association during its inaugural participation in the 17th Swiss Coffee Trade Association Forum and Dinner held on Saturday in Montreux, Switzerland.

The SCTA brings together more than 40 companies involved in green coffee trading and is regarded as an important platform for discussions on international coffee trade, sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Ms Charlotte Kemigyisha, the Ministry of Agriculture’s public relations manager, said Uganda’s admission signals the country’s commitment to developing a globally competitive coffee industry.

“Uganda’s participation, under the theme Brewing Trust: Traceability, Sustainability and Value Addition in Uganda’s Coffee Journey, provided a unique opportunity to present the country’s coffee transformation story to some of the world’s leading coffee traders, investors and industry stakeholders,” she said in a telephone interview yesterday.

She said membership allows Uganda to engage directly with key players in the international coffee industry and strengthen its access to markets.

“It means stronger access to international coffee markets and demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to building a globally competitive coffee sector,” Ms Kemigyisha said.

She added that discussions within the association focus on sustainability, trade and responsible sourcing, areas that are increasingly important in international coffee markets.

Uganda’s admission comes as the country seeks to increase coffee production, improve quality, strengthen traceability and promote value addition while complying with emerging international market requirements.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture on Sunday, Uganda, through its Permanent Mission in Geneva and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was invited to showcase its coffee transformation journey at this year’s forum.

The Ugandan delegation was led by State Minister for Agriculture Desire Muhooza, Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Maj Gen David Kasura-Kyomukama, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire Waiswa.

Minister Muhooza said coffee remains central to Uganda’s economic transformation and the livelihoods of millions of households.

“Coffee is not simply a crop for Uganda, but is deeply embedded in our economy, history, culture and the livelihoods of millions of households,” she said.

She added that the government’s ambition is to increase production and quality while positioning Uganda as a leading coffee origin on the international market.

“This transformation is not merely a story of increased volumes. It reflects Uganda’s emergence as a dependable and significant coffee origin in the international market, driven by deliberate government investments in farmers, support, productivity improvement, quality enhancement and market development,” she said.

Maj Gen Kasura-Kyomukama told the forum that Uganda is committed to transparency, sustainability and compliance with evolving international market requirements.

He said the country faces a major task in establishing traceability systems because Uganda’s coffee industry is largely built on the efforts of millions of smallholder farmers.

“Building traceability at this scale is a significant undertaking, but it is essential for developing a modern, transparent and competitive coffee sector,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary said Uganda is implementing systems to support traceability and compliance with international requirements, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

He expressed confidence that significant progress would be made in farmer mapping and registration ahead of the implementation timelines.

Maj Gen Kasura-Kyomukama said Uganda’s push for traceability was not only aimed at meeting demands from international markets, but was also necessary to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the country’s coffee industry.

“Transparency, sustainability and accountability are fundamental to the future competitiveness of Uganda’s coffee sector,” he said.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis