Uganda’s coffee industry has received a significant institutional boost with the launch of the Commercial Coffee Producers Association of Uganda (CCPAU), a new umbrella body bringing together actors in the coffee value chain engaged in commercial production, processing, export, and trade.
The association will be chaired by prominent agribusiness leader Dr Ian Clarke, a large-scale coffee farmer and exporter. He will be deputized by Kahinda Barigye as Vice Chairperson, while Barbara Mugeni will serve as Treasurer and Mimi Mutesa as Secretary. Additional members will sit on the Board to steer the organization’s strategic direction.
Membership
CCPAU membership is open to individuals and enterprises participating in the coffee value chain for commercial purposes, subject to eligibility criteria and a subscription fee. The association aims to strengthen coordination among large-scale producers, exporters, processors, and allied businesses, positioning Uganda to capture greater value from one of its most important export commodities.
Funded by UK Trade Partnership Programme
The launch is supported by the United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP), an initiative designed to help developing countries maximize the benefits of preferential trade arrangements with the United Kingdom.
UKTP provides targeted technical assistance, capacity building, and market-access support to businesses in eligible countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. These countries benefit from the UK’s Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
According to the programme, its activities include:
- Helping exporters meet UK market standards and regulatory requirements
- Increasing awareness and utilization of UK trade preferences
- Strengthening trade institutions
- Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth
- Supporting job creation and income generation
The programme aligns with development criteria set by the OECD Development Assistance Committee, ensuring its primary objective remains poverty reduction through expanded trade.
Strategic Importance for Uganda
Coffee is Uganda’s leading agricultural export and a key source of foreign exchange and rural livelihoods. The formation of CCPAU is expected to strengthen commercial representation, improve bargaining power in international markets, and accelerate the sector’s modernization.
By linking large-scale producers more directly to export opportunities, particularly in high-value markets such as the UK, stakeholders say the association could play a pivotal role in boosting quality, compliance, and competitiveness.
Industry observers view the launch as a timely step toward transforming Uganda from a primarily raw-bean exporter into a more coordinated, value-driven coffee powerhouse.
