Ugandan coffee farmers, who from 2023 to 2025 enjoyed a crop boom and celebrated a successful three-year period, are now in tears following widespread theft of their coffee from gardens, drying racks, home stores, and even while in transit to the market.
They are now calling for urgent government intervention through the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in coffee gardens to detect and apprehend thieves. The farmers want sophisticated digital technology installed by the government to safeguard their most important cash crop.
“We want the police to urgently intervene with modern, advanced crime detection and crime-bursting measures like gadgets that can be installed in gardens and in our homes!” one farmer cried.
Uganda has emerged as Africa’s top coffee exporter in 2025, particularly in May when it shipped a record 47,606.7 tonnes (about 793,445 bags), surpassing Ethiopia’s 43,481 tonnes that same month. This export boom helped Uganda earn about US$2.2 billion (UGX 7.83 trillion) from coffee between April and May 2025 — the country’s highest coffee revenue since independence from Britain in 1962.
However, experts note that while Uganda now leads Africa in coffee exports, Ethiopia remains the continent’s largest producer overall, especially of Arabica varieties, and continues to rank among the top four global producers.
In an impromptu survey by Bukedde TV — a local, vernacular-based, grassroots-focused media house — farmers in Bukomansimbi District, one of the biggest coffee-growing areas in central Uganda, complained of an upsurge in coffee thefts, many of them in broad daylight. They noted that the peak of the brazen crime has been in 2024–2025.
“We’re witnessing terrible times in our coffee farming business as thefts have sprung up targeting both ripened beans on the plants in the gardens, in our courtyards on drying racks, in stores, and while being transported to the markets. Thugs strike with impunity to rob us of our hard-earned income. They even steal coffee beans spread out to dry on racks and mats!” one farmer lamented, adding that thieves often carry weapons, including guns, and attack both day and night.
Uganda’s coffee production and earnings have been on the rise, driven by favorable global prices and increased production volumes.
Key statistics
Earnings: Uganda recorded its highest-ever monthly earnings in April 2025, at US$214.38 million (approximately UGX 780.1 billion).
Production volume: The country exported 7.17 million bags of coffee in the 2024/2025 coffee year, with projections of 6.875 million bags in 2025/2026.
Price: The average export price rose to US$5.15 per kilo, with washed Robusta fetching US$5.65 per kilo and Arabica averaging US$6.21 per kilo.
Top coffee-producing regions in Uganda
Central region: Produces both Robusta and Arabica coffee, with Mukono and Luwero as major zones.
Southwestern region: A major producer of Robusta coffee, with Masaka contributing significantly.
Eastern region: Produces both Robusta and Arabica, with Mount Elgon notable for Arabica.
Western region: Produces both Robusta and Arabica, with Kasese and Zombo being key districts.
Market share and export destinations
Europe: Remains the top destination for Uganda’s coffee, accounting for 72% of exports in 2024, with Italy as the largest buyer.
Top exporters: Ugacof (U) Ltd leads, followed by Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd and Olam Uganda Ltd.
Africa’s top coffee producers (by volume)
- Ethiopia: Produces over 501,000 tonnes, accounting for 41% of Africa’s coffee. Largest in Africa and fourth globally.
- Uganda: Produces about 330,000 tonnes (80% Robusta, 20% Arabica). Second in Africa, eighth globally.
- Côte d’Ivoire: About 103,514 tonnes, mainly natural Robusta. Coffee is the second-largest export commodity.
- Tanzania: Around 55,789 tonnes (70% Arabica, 30% Robusta), exported mainly to the EU.
- Madagascar: About 47,387 tonnes (90% Robusta, 10% Arabica).
Other notable producers:
Kenya: ~40,800 tonnes (high-quality Arabica).
Sierra Leone: ~35,720 tonnes.
Cameroon: ~30,984 tonnes.
DR Congo: ~29,912 tonnes.
Togo: ~18,476 tonnes.
Wamboga-Mugirya is Ugandan-based science journalist and communicator.
