Gen. Salim Saleh Rallies Support for Uganda’s Coffee Industry as KCB Bank Joins Value Addition Drive

What the report says

At a launch event in Kapeeka, Uganda, Gen. Salim Saleh urged broader support for efforts to expand the country’s coffee value chain, according to Watchdog Uganda. The event introduced the Uganda Coffee Group at Namunkekera Industrial Park, with KCB Bank Uganda joining as a partner in a private sector-led push to connect farmers, cooperatives, processors, manufacturers, investors and lenders.

The reported goal of the new platform is to move Uganda beyond exporting raw coffee beans and capture more value through local processing, roasting, packaging, branding and distribution. Watchdog Uganda said the group is intended to promote climate-smart production, improve quality, strengthen research and innovation, and build a more competitive Ugandan coffee brand for domestic and international markets.

The article also framed the initiative around the importance of coffee to Uganda’s economy. It cited Ministry of Agriculture figures showing exports of about 7.75 million 60-kilogram bags in the 2024/25 financial year, earning roughly US$2.21 billion. The launch presented the sector as a major source of jobs and investment potential, especially if more businesses can operate deeper in the value chain rather than stopping at farmgate sales.

KCB Bank Uganda said it would support the effort with agricultural financing and other services for farmers, input dealers, aggregators and processors. The bank outlined credit products and advisory support aimed at helping businesses bridge the gap between production and expansion, while the Uganda Coffee Group said it is seeking long-term investment and stronger collaboration across the industry.