Inspire Africa Group launches inaugural coffee products

NTUNGAMO - President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to consider investing locally so as to create employment opportunities for thousands of Ugandans currently unemployed.

The president, who was represented by the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, appealed recently during the launch of the inaugural line of finished coffee products by Inspire Africa Group (IAG) held in Rwashamaire, Ntungamo District.

The launch that coincided with the International Coffee Day was held under the theme:  "From Bean to Brilliance" with the aim of showcasing coffee's potential to fuel sustainable development, create jobs, and strengthen Uganda's position in global trade.

The celebrations were attended by government officials, delegations from the Rwanda Defence Forces and Uganda People's Defence Forces who toured the Coffee Park to witness how the facility will contribute to national development and support Uganda's drive for agro-industrialisation.

While delivering the president’s remarks, the Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo praised Tugume for investing locally and supporting national growth, challenging other Ugandans to borrow a leaf.

"There is no easier way to transform people's lives than by embracing coffee growing. We need to promote our home ground investors; I don't call them local because that minimises their status,” he noted.

He challenged Ugandans to venture into more lucrative ventures that offer huge returns to support economic growth, rather than investing in crops like cotton, whose returns have continued to dwindle over the years.

Energy and Mineral Development Minister, Ruth Nankabirwa, on the other hand, prides herself on the excess electricity that Uganda generates now, noting that the country is now ready for industrialisation.

She confirmed that a dedicated power line is currently being established from Mirama Hills substation, already 40% complete and expected to offer more reliable electricity for the factory.

"We have no choice but to supply reliable power to industries like this that add value. If you don't supply constant power, the wastage and loss are going to be enormous," she added.

Tugume explained that the project was built to raise Ugandans' livelihoods through job creation and value addition before export.

He revealed that Inspire Africa has already developed four coffee products, including Inspire Africa Drip Coffee; Inspire Africa Coffee Capsules, Inspire Africa Ground Coffee, and Inspire Africa Roast Coffee, with more in progress.

"Our vision is to make Uganda's coffee a competitive product on the global market by adding value, increasing prices for our farmers, and creating export opportunities. By December 2025, the company plans to expand into China, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States," Tugume noted.

The launch was hailed as a milestone for Uganda's coffee industry, which is already Africa's largest producer of robusta coffee and the continent's second-biggest exporter overall.

International Coffee Day 2025 is an opportunity to enjoy coffee brew, support coffee farmers, and participate in various activities promoting sustainability and collaboration in the coffee industry.