Minister Musasizi backs Africa Coffee Park to transform coffee value chain
“We are grateful to the Government of Uganda for its continued support. However, the Park requires a minimum of 20MW of electricity and two million litres of food-grade water daily to operate at full capacity. Addressing these infrastructure gaps is critical to unlocking instant coffee production,” Tugume said.
Nelson Tugume (L), Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Africa Group, Amos Kankunda, Member of Parliament for Rwampara County and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, holding cold brew coffee produced at Africa Coffee park during the tour at the factory in Rwashamaire, Ntungamo district on Saturday. (Credit: Fred Turyakira)
Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), has commended the Africa Coffee Park under the Inspire Africa Group for its vision in transforming Uganda’s coffee value chain, improving farmer incomes, and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in global coffee markets.
The minister, who on March 28, 2026, was accompanied by Amos Kankunda, Member of Parliament for Rwampara County and chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, conducted his first official visit to the Africa Coffee Park in Ntungamo, reaffirming government commitment to agro-industrialisation and value addition in Uganda’s coffee sector.
The visit formed part of the minister’s oversight mandate to assess the progress of construction works and evaluate the implementation of coffee value addition initiatives at the facility.
The delegation was received by Nelson Tugume, chief executive officer of Inspire Africa Group, who led a tour of the park. The team was taken through the facility’s advanced processing technologies, including roasting, spray drying, and freeze drying, which are central to the production of high-value coffee products.
The Africa Coffee Park will produce a diverse portfolio of products, including roasted coffee, ground coffee, drip coffee, and instant coffee, as well as value-added derivatives such as cosmetics and ready-to-drink cold brew beverages.
Tugume expressed appreciation to the government of Uganda for the financial support extended to the project thus far, while highlighting key infrastructure constraints affecting full operationalisation.
“We are grateful to the Government of Uganda for its continued support. However, the Park requires a minimum of 20MW of electricity and two million litres of food-grade water daily to operate at full capacity. Addressing these infrastructure gaps is critical to unlocking instant coffee production,” he said.
Tugume further noted that efforts are underway to establish a dedicated power line from the Mirama Hills substation and a water pipeline from Kahengye, near the Rukungiri border, with over five kilometres of piping already installed.
Minister Musasizi said Inspire Africa Group’s vision and execution of a transformative industrial project is aligned with Uganda’s broader economic ambitions.
Minister Musasizi said Inspire Africa Group’s vision and execution of a transformative industrial project is aligned with Uganda’s broader economic ambitions. (Credit: Fred Turyakira)
“I am here on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and I wish to affirm that H.E. the President has a strong belief in this project,” He stated.
Minister added, “Africa Coffee Park will play a pivotal role in transforming Uganda’s coffee value chain, improving farmer incomes, and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in global coffee markets, noting that up to 11% of Uganda’s coffee output could be processed through the facility”.
Musasizi further highlighted the strategic integration of coffee tourism and domestic consumption as a model for patriotism in coffee and expanding market opportunities.
“This project has been subjected to scientific, technical, and commercial verification, and it is evident that it will succeed. It therefore deserves additional financial support,” he added.
Musasizi also pledged Government support towards the designation of the Africa Coffee Park as a Special Economic Zone, which would attract further investment into the region. He emphasised the importance of strengthening infrastructure, including electricity, water, and road networks, to support industrial growth.
The minister also revealed ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to streamline the governance of the project. This is aimed at ensuring that innovations developed at the park are effectively commercialised for both domestic and international markets.
The Africa Coffee Park is a 150-acre state-of-the-art industrial hub set to become the largest coffee processing and value addition centre in Eastern Africa.
The park employs freeze-dry technology to produce refined instant coffee, coffee beauty products, and coffee energy drinks.
The initiative aligns directly with Uganda’s 4th National Development Plan (NDPIV 2025/2026–2029/2030), which identifies coffee as one of six key agricultural value chains for value addition.
Kankunda reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting value addition through the Government’s Agro-industrialisation, Tourism, Manufacturing, and Science, Technology and Innovation strategy.
He called upon legislators to undertake field visits to Government-supported projects in order to make informed decisions based on facts.