Uganda-China Coffee Partnership Strengthens as Inaugural Awareness Tour Concludes

Kampala, Uganda – The historic 1st Uganda-China Coffee Awareness Tour successfully concluded with the inaugural Uganda-China Coffee Trade and Investment Meeting, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. The event, which began on May 12, 2025, has been hailed as a transformative initiative for Uganda’s coffee sector.

Strategic Partnership for Coffee Trade

During the closing ceremony, Ambassador Oliver Wonekha, Uganda’s Head of Mission in Beijing, emphasized the strategic importance of the Uganda-China coffee partnership. She highlighted Uganda’s competitive advantages, including its favorable climate, high-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties, and a young, dynamic farming workforce.

“Uganda is well-positioned to meet China’s growing demand for premium coffee,” Wonekha stated. She reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to removing trade barriers, improving market access, and fostering technology and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

China Commits to Sustainable Coffee Trade

Ambassador Zhang Lizhong, China’s envoy to Uganda, praised the success of the awareness tour, noting its role in strengthening trade relations and showcasing Uganda’s coffee heritage. He expressed China’s interest in sustainably produced coffee and welcomed future collaborations based on mutual trust and technological exchange.

Tour Boosts Coffee Exports by 190%

Permanent Secretary Bagiire Vincent Waiswa reflected on the tour’s achievements, which included visits to key coffee-producing regions such as Masaka, Mbarara, and Mbale. The initiative successfully showcased Uganda’s coffee potential, attracted investment in value addition, and connected local farmers with Chinese buyers.

Remarkably, coffee exports to China surged by 190% as of March 2025, demonstrating the immediate impact of the partnership.

A Step Toward Uganda’s Coffee Vision

Closing the event, Ambassador Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Geoffrey Muheesi thanked stakeholders for their dedication and stressed the importance of sustaining this momentum. The tour aligns with Uganda’s Coffee Roadmap 2030 and Vision 2040, positioning China as a key strategic partner in Uganda’s coffee industry transformation.

This article is based on an original report by The Independent Uganda. Full credit goes to the original source.