Coffee Marathon Launched in Ntungamo

Ntungamo: The Assistant Commissioner for Sports in the Ministry of sports and education Samuel Odong on Friday January 17, 2025 officially launched Coffee Marathon Uganda at the Coffee Park Uganda in Rwashamaire Town Council, Ntungamo District.

Coffee Marathon Uganda which aims to raise Shs 2 billion for uplifting rural women coffee growers from poverty will take place on May 24, 2025 under the theme “Uplifting the Rural Coffee Woman Out of Poverty”.

While Launching the Marathon on behalf of the state minister for sports Peter Ogwang who was invited as the chief guest, commissioner Odongo said that there is a need to spot all the talents across the country and develop them.

He revealed that the government is fully committed to develop the sports sector through adequate funding and availing the modern sports infrastructure.  

Odongo rallied the youths to embrace sports careers and disputed traditional beliefs that there are some genetics involved to do well in athletics.

He commended the Inspire Africa Group for investing in coffee value addition stating that it will help to improve the livelihoods of Ugandans.

Cue in…Odongo ENG…

Apollo Musherure who represented Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) pledged to support coffee under the umbrella of Inspire Africa Group to bring economic glory to Ankole sub-region.  

Musherure said UAF will work with Inspire Africa Group to develop SOPs that will make this event a continental marathon.

Cue in…Musherure ENG…

The Head of Corporate Banking at Equity Bank Uganda Mary Mukasa highlighted the institution’s unique business model hinged on three engines including sustainability, business and social which all resonate with the theme of the Coffee Marathon.

Mukasa said Equity bank focuses on supporting local farmers and Ntungamo district has got many beneficiaries. She further revealed that the institution will work closely with Nelson Tugume to achieve the objectives of Aspire coffee Africa.  

Cue in…Mary Mukasa ENG…       

On his part, Nelson Tugume, the CEO Inspire Africa Group, said many women in Uganda who are involved in the coffee sector have not been able to get better value out of their coffee, a problem Africa coffee pack is focused to solve.

Tugume said the coffee marathon is part of the activities coming before the Africa Coffee Festival which was recently endorsed by all heads of African states that will be held in Rwashamaire Ntungamo at the Africa coffee pack grounds.

Cue in…Tugume ENG…

While launching the Inspire Africa Coffee factory project in May 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said there is going to be a united front to add value to Ugandan Coffee which he termed as Chapter One further promised to support the factory with the necessary materials for it to be completed on time.

Since 2023, the government has been investing in the coffee value chain through the Coffee Investment Consortium Uganda (CICU) to increase export revenue from coffee, create employment opportunities and increase the farm gate prices.

CICU is a consortium that unites coffee stakeholders in the country to add value to coffee and promote the export of value-added coffee from Uganda as a single source origin.

In the Financial Year 2023/2024, the government of Uganda allocated resources through the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Secretariat under the Office of the President towards the establishment of a modern Industrial coffee park in Rwashamaire Town Council, Ntungamo District.

The construction works which started in October 2023 Upon completion, the park will produce instant coffee, drip coffee, malt coffee, coffee energy drink and coffee beauty cosmetics.