The consumption of coffee, one of the world’s most popular beverages, has become an integral part of Uganda’s social culture. Evenings have become a favourite coffee-consumption time. But which cafes are worth their name? Which ones do actually go out to the farms, harvest and eventually roast the coffee beans from which they brew an alluring variety of coffee and unforgettable tasty blends? Raphael Okello went scouting.

Rwenzori Coffee Shop
- Shoprite, Lugogo
There are 8 to 10 different coffee types from which clients can choose at Rwenzori coffee shop. But the strength of this barely three-year-old coffee shop is in the space, location and parking space. Monday to Saturday it’s open from 7:00am to 9:00pm. On Sunday it closes at 8:00pm although sometimes, it closes earlier.

Boldwin’s Café - Crested Towers
Nice and neat place with coffee expertly prepared. But if you want to drink your coffee in a quiet and relaxed environment in the evening, you may want to go elsewhere. Boldwin’s café is transformed into a bar and often the mood is breached by the bar and its music.

1000 Cups Coffee House - Buganda Road
One of Kampala’s prime coffee outlets, 1000 Cups Coffee House on Buganda Road, offers some unusual coffee blends, from a lemon grass infused coffee to a traditional roast lightly in clay pots. Each roasting and brewing process is done as the customer watches, with specialised equipment (most of which are also sold in the outlet). Cappuccinos and Espresso (very strong coffee boiled under a lot of pressure over water) are the most popular. Other options include over 20 recipes from different countries, iced and regular coffee. It is a small and neat outlet with local and international newspapers, comfortable cushioned seats and walls decorated with art pieces, china and paintings. Prices range from sh2,000 to sh10,000. You can also buy ground coffee at the house. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 8:00am to 8:00pm and on Sunday from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Café Pap - Parliament Avenue
Like all cafes worth their name, Cafe Pap works with selected farmers who provide them with coffee beans. The price of coffee ranges from sh3,500 to sh5,000. On weekdays, the café opens at 7:30am and closes at 11:00pm and on Sundays it opens at 10:00am and closes at 10:00pm. I has an added advantage of providing a wireless Internet connection service, so coffee while doing some work on the laptop makes it more attractive to the corporate customer.

Ban Café - Grand Imperial Hotel
Ban Café’s experience in brewing and serving coffee is boldly imprinted in the distinct sweet aroma lingering in its uniquely designed African traditional confines. there are smooth chairs and tables made out of dark, rich wood and a grass thatched shade hanging over the counter, which teems with raw, roasted, ground and packed coffee beans. The warmth, the predominantly dark brown hue and the strong coffee aroma create the impression of dwelling inside a giant roasted coffee bean. A variety of coffee is served hot. Hot chocolate costs sh2,500 and Mocha (coffee with drinking chocolate) is at sh3,000. Cappuccino, espresso and regular African coffee are brewed and served from Monday to Sunday 8:00am to 9:00pm.