The coffee house project was initially funded by the European Union and the French Facility for Global Environment and currently stands out as one of the latest tourism products developed to improve financing for Rwenzori National Park through diversifying sources of income for the locals.
Great opportunities from the coffee industry are yet to improve livelihoods for most coffee farmers in the Rwenzori region.
This comes after a recent partnership initiated by Uganda Tourism board together with the World Wildlife Fund Uganda country office, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, and Uganda Wildlife Authority that also witnessed construction and hand over for a coffee geared towards supporting the local community living near Rwenzori Mountain National Park.
Commenting on the new initiative, Ms Lilly Ajarova, the CEO UTB explains that the Coffee House will not only ensure that tourists visiting the Rwenzori area get a taste of Uganda’s authentic coffee but also help develop coffee as an attraction with added revenue stream.
“We know that great places to visit must be great places for host communities to live in. By including host communities in the coffee value chain, this will enhance our long-term vision of ensuring sustainable tourism,” she said.
Adding that this synergy between two vibrant sectors; coffee and tourism will have a greater impact on the economy given that Uganda’s coffee has already built a reputation amongst global coffee connoisseurs for being ‘great tasting and well-balanced.’
Susan Tumuhairwe, the Project Manager at WWF Uganda added that they work closely with the communities adjacent to the different natural resources by empowering them through capacity building and ways of seeking alternative sources of income.
“When we joined hands with the farmers in 2016, we realized that they were predominantly coffee farmers who sold coffee in its raw state. So, when we thought of how to help them out, we zeroed in on value addition to the coffee, hence the coffee house. This we believe will help them earn extra money given that the house is actually run and managed by themselves.”
The board says, this coffee house will only sell commercially packed coffee as well as that which is ready to serve as a beverage.
In addition to the new development, a demonstration garden that utilizes smart garden techniques was set up adjacent to the coffee house where guests will be taken through the whole coffee processing right from nursery bed to coffee cup.
Currently, 516 farmers, 379 being female, under the Busongora Joint Farmers Association utilize the coffee house to roast, package and sell their coffee.
Mathias Kasighalire, the Association’s Marketing Manager says that the association is also using the coffee house as a tourism house. He adds that this house will enable them empower more farmers in the conservation of nature through smart agriculture practices, given the terrain of the area that is susceptible to flooding.
He added, “This coffee house is also enabling we the farmers taste our own coffee. We previously sold the coffee in its raw form but now, we are able to actually add value and this has also given the community an opportunity to taste our coffee.”
Coffee for over two decades was Uganda’s highest foreign exchange earner while contributing to income for millions of rural households. Combining it with tourism, which is currently Uganda’s highest foreign exchange earner will underscore opportunities and benefits to not only the communities living near the Rwenzori Mountain National Park but also to the economy.
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