Nakaseke Farmers Anticipate Economic Boost with New Coffee Value Park

For generations, coffee farmers in Uganda’s Nakaseke District and the surrounding Luwero Triangle have cultivated beans that are enjoyed globally. However, the value derived from this labor has often remained minimal for the growers themselves.

This scenario is poised for a significant change with the upcoming Nonda Coffee Value Park, a substantial agro-industrial project planned for Butalangu Town Council. This 100-acre facility, a collaboration between Nonda Commodities Limited, the Ugandan government, and international partners, aims to process raw coffee into finished products for both domestic and international markets. With an estimated investment between $200 million and $248 million, the project has garnered presidential endorsement and is slated for groundbreaking in October 2026, with construction expected to span two years.

The anticipated economic ripple effects are a source of great optimism. Farmers like Milly Kiseka envision a future where women, who play a crucial role in coffee production but often face market access challenges, will spend less time and resources traveling to find buyers. The park promises a structured and reliable local market, enabling women to dedicate more time to their farms and families.

Beyond individual households, the project is seen as an economic anchor for the entire Luwero region. Tom Kasozi, a seasoned farmer, believes the value park will not only benefit Nakaseke but also extend its economic advantages across neighboring districts, fostering improved incomes and agricultural practices throughout Buganda Kingdom.

Local leaders, such as Abel Lubowa, the chairperson of Kito Kivumu Subcounty, highlight the potential for job creation and the stimulation of ancillary businesses. The facility is projected to generate hundreds of direct jobs and create a vibrant ecosystem of suppliers and service providers, benefiting even small-scale traders in the community.

The Nonda Coffee Value Park is designed to process 42,000 metric tonnes of green coffee annually, producing approximately 7,200 metric tonnes of instant coffee and other premium products. This initiative aligns with Uganda’s national strategy to move beyond raw commodity exports and capture greater value through processing and branding.

Nonda Commodities is simultaneously building a robust farmer network, establishing Kitawuluzi Centres and Bubondo farmer clusters across 13 districts to engage over 200,000 coffee-growing households. This “value-at-source” model aims to organize coffee aggregation, grading, and quality control, creating a traceable journey from farmer to factory to market. Farmers are actively being encouraged to adopt better harvesting, drying, and storage practices to enhance coffee quality, ensuring they are well-positioned to participate in the new market.

The promise of the Nonda Coffee Value Park lies in its potential to transform Nakaseke’s coffee economy, ensuring that a greater share of the value generated by the crop reaches the farmers and communities at the beginning of the supply chain, fostering sustained prosperity.

This initiative is detailed in a report by the Daily Monitor.