Commercial and specialty coffee programmes operated at origin in Uganda | Crop Year: 2024
This programme brief provides an operational continuation to the Uganda Coffee Programmes overview. It outlines origin structure, programme offerings, product portfolios, and processing frameworks for buyer review and alignment prior to commercial discussion.
Programme Offerings (At a Glance)
The Uganda Coffee Programmes cover both commercial and specialty grades across Arabica and Robusta. Engagement is structured at programme level, with specifications aligned through direct discussion.
Commercial Arabica
scalable washed and natural Arabica grades structured for continuity and contract supply
Commercial Robusta
mainstream and upgraded Robusta grades aligned to volume and specification requirements
Specialty Arabica
high-altitude Arabica programmes with differentiated processing frameworks
Fine Robusta (Specialty)
process-led Robusta programmes developed to exceed conventional Robusta expectations
Commercial grades are offered through structured programmes rather than itemised listings.
Commercial Coffee Programmes — Arabica
Commercial Arabica programmes are designed for buyers seeking scalable supply, consistent specifications, and contract-oriented engagement. These grades are offered through structured programmes rather than spot listings, with final specifications aligned through direct discussion.
Washed Arabica — clean cup, balanced acidity, stable performance for blends and filter programmes
Natural Arabica — heavier body, fruit-forward sweetness, suitable for espresso bases and blend components
Execution & consistency framework:
Structured processing and grading discipline at origin
Lot-level preparation and export-ready documentation
Repeatable supply approach across cycles (not one-off spot buying)
Note: Detailed current availability, exact specs, and shipment terms are provided through direct engagement.
Commercial Coffee Programmes — Robusta
Commercial Robusta programmes cover mainstream and upgraded Robusta grades aligned to volume and specification requirements. The focus is on reliability, clean execution, and specification control for buyers sourcing Robusta at scale.
Mainstream Robusta grades — consistent commercial supply suitable for blends and industrial requirements
Upgraded Robusta grades — improved screen and defect discipline for buyers seeking higher performance within commercial ranges
Execution & consistency framework:
Structured drying, grading, and separation
Contract-oriented supply planning
Export-ready preparation and documentation
Note: Detailed current availability, exact specs, and shipment terms are provided through direct engagement.
Specialty Coffee Portfolios
Programme-based specialty offerings structured around origin-specific processing frameworks and repeatable quality profiles.
Eastern Uganda — Specialty Arabica
Central Uganda — Fine Robusta
Eastern Uganda — Specialty Arabica
Origin Areas
Bulambuli, Manafwa, and Namisindwa Highlands (Mt. Elgon region)
Typical Elevations
1,900+ masl
Specialty Arabica programmes in Eastern Uganda focus on high-altitude coffees produced by smallholder farmers operating half- to one-acre plots. Coffees are cultivated under natural shade, intercropped with bananas and forest species, and processed through structured washing and fermentation facilities.
Processing frameworks include washed, natural, anaerobic, yeast-assisted fermentation, and controlled co-fermentation programmes.
Specialty Arabica Product Portfolio
Moonrise — Natural Arabica (Bulambuli)
Process: Natural
Altitude: 1900+ masl
Varieties: SL14 / SL28 / Bugisu Local
Cup Profile: Strawberry, chocolate, ripe plum, brown sugar
Cup Profile: Pineapple, lemon, fresh almond, cocoa
Indicative Score: 85+
Elgon Boozy — Anaerobic Natural Fermentation
Process: 5-day anaerobic fermentation (drums)
Altitude: 1900+ masl
Varieties: SL14 / SL28 / Bugisu Local
Cup Profile: Marmalade, exotic fruit, mango, pineapple, tamarind
Indicative Score: 86+
Ananas — Pineapple Co-Fermentation
Process: Pineapple co-fermentation
Altitude: 1900+ masl
Varieties: SL14 / SL28 / Bugisu Local
Cup Profile: Pomegranate, banana, jackfruit, apricot
Indicative Score: 86+
Bloom — Anaerobic Natural Fermentation
Process: 5-day anaerobic fermentation in sacks
Altitude: 1900+ masl
Varieties: SL14 / SL28 / Bugisu Local
Cup Profile: Chocolate, dried fruit, spice, woody notes
Indicative Score: 82+
Programme Positioning
Specialty Arabica programmes are designed for buyers seeking origin-specific profiles with disciplined processing and repeatable quality. The focus is on structured lot separation, controlled fermentation frameworks, and export-ready execution rather than one-off micro-lots.
These programmes are suitable for specialty roasters and buyers looking to build consistent offerings across multiple harvests while maintaining traceable origin character and processing transparency.
Central Uganda — Fine Robusta
Origin Areas
Masaka & Kalungu districts, Central Uganda
Typical Elevations
1,100–1,300 masl
Fine Robusta programmes are developed to challenge conventional Robusta expectations through controlled fermentation, structured drying, and disciplined lot selection. The focus is on producing cleaner cup profiles, reduced bitterness, and enhanced sweetness while maintaining scalability and export consistency.
Robusta in Uganda thrives in fertile volcanic soils under natural shade and is commonly intercropped with bananas, cassava, beans, and native shade species such as Albizia and Ficus. Production is anchored by smallholder farms (1–3 acres) alongside selected estates that enable micro-lot separation and experimental processing.
Cup Profile: Cocoa, molasses, caramel, tropical fruit, nutty cream
Indicative Score: 85+
Anaerobic Fermentation Robusta
Process: 6-day anaerobic natural, sun-dried
Altitude: 1100–1300 masl
Varieties: Nganda, Elite, KR1–KR10
Cup Profile: Molasses, vanilla, citrus, tropical fruit, nutty tones
Indicative Score: 84+
Pineapple Co-Fermentation Robusta
Process: 6-day anaerobic natural with pineapple co-fermentation, sun-dried
Altitude: 1100–1300 masl
Varieties: Nganda, Elite, KR1–KR10
Cup Profile: Ripe banana, orange juice, soft acidity, nutty finish
Indicative Score: 84+
Natural Robusta
Process: Sun-dried
Altitude: 1100–1300 masl
Varieties: Nganda, Elite, KR1–KR10
Cup Profile: Roasted cereal, nuts, spice, chocolate, orange peel
Indicative Score: 83+
Programme Positioning
Fine Robusta offerings are designed for buyers seeking differentiated Robusta profiles within a repeatable and export-ready programme structure. Suitable for single-origin use, blending applications, and specialty Robusta exploration at scale.
Processing & Quality Framework
Across both commercial and specialty programmes, execution follows consistent standards:
Selective cherry harvesting
Defined fermentation parameters
Structured sun-drying protocols
Lot-level grading and separation
Export-ready preparation and documentation
Rainforest Alliance–certified volumes are available across selected programmes upon request.
Programme Use
This programme brief is intended for:
Buyer review and internal evaluation
Sampling alignment
Programme selection and specification discussions
Further documentation, specifications, and commercial alignment are shared through direct engagement.
Next Steps
This programme brief is intended to support buyer evaluation and internal alignment across commercial and specialty coffee requirements.
Programme selection, sampling, and specification discussions are managed directly to ensure precise alignment with volume requirements, quality parameters, and specific market objectives.
To proceed, please click the link below to initiate a programme discussion.