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The inaugural Uganda-China Coffee Awareness Tour, which began on May 12, 2025, concluded with a landmark Uganda-China Coffee Trade and Investment Meeting.
The event marked a major milestone in bilateral cooperation, opening new pathways for trade and investment in Uganda’s coffee sector.
Ambassador Oliver Wonekha, Uganda’s Head of Mission in Beijing, stressed the strategic importance of this partnership.
She highlighted Uganda’s favourable climate, premium Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties, and its young farming population as key strengths enabling the country to meet China’s growing demand for quality coffee.
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Ambassador Wonekha reaffirmed the embassy’s commitment to removing trade barriers, improving market access, and promoting technology transfer and cultural exchange between the two nations.
China’s envoy to Uganda, Ambassador Zhang Lizhong, praised the awareness tour’s success in deepening trade ties and promoting Uganda’s rich coffee heritage. He emphasised China’s keen interest in sustainably produced coffee and welcomed future collaborations based on trust, trade, and innovation.
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Surge in exports and investment prospects
Permanent Secretary Bagiire Vincent Waiswa reflected on the tour’s impact, which included visits to major coffee-growing regions such as Masaka, Mbarara, and Mbale.
The tour showcased Uganda’s coffee potential, attracted investments in value addition, and facilitated connections between Ugandan farmers and Chinese buyers.
Notably, coffee exports to China surged by 190% as of March 2025, reflecting the growing demand and strengthened trade relationship. Closing the event,
Ambassador Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Geoffrey Muheesi thanked all stakeholders for their commitment and urged building on this momentum to further expand Uganda’s coffee industry and international market reach.