Roco Paco Movement partners with MAAIF to Promote Coffee farming in Agago

26 February 2026, 9:54 PM

By David Ojok Jr.

The Coffee Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) have partnered with the Roco Paco Movement to promote coffee growing in Agago District and the wider northern Uganda region.

The partnership was unveiled on Thursday, February 26, 2026, during a farmer training exercise on coffee establishment and early farm management held in Too Coo Village, Oporot Ward, Patongo Town Council, Agago District.

Speaking at the training, Twine Julius, Senior Agricultural Officer in the Coffee Department at MAAIF and head of the East Acholi and Lango sub-region, underscored the importance of coffee to Uganda’s economy. He noted that coffee remains one of the country’s leading export commodities, with Uganda exporting 8.5 million bags last year.

Julius emphasised that coffee farming has the potential to significantly improve household incomes and eradicate poverty, describing it as a generational crop capable of sustaining families for decades. According to Julius, the ministry is committed to supporting farmers with free coffee seedlings, banana suckers, shade trees and other essential inputs, as their target is to increase national production to 20 million bags by 2030.

He urged farmers in Agago and neighbouring districts to take advantage of the government’s support and embrace coffee as a long-term investment.

The Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, Godfrey Muhanguzi, challenged residents of Agago to actively participate in what he termed an “economic revolution” through commercial agriculture.

Brig. Gen. Muhanguzi said the collaboration with the Roco Paco Movement, a charitable, non-partisan initiative dedicated to healing wounds, restoring dignity and transforming communities into a values-driven and vibrant society, would create a strong foundation for coffee production to thrive in northern Uganda as they are also performing perennial crops programme

Meanwhile, former Chief Justice of Uganda, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, who has ventured into coffee farming, called on the people of Agago to embrace the crop as a pathway out of poverty but advised them to grow manageable acreage and adopt modern farming practices. He contends that farmers should move away from relying solely on rain-fed agriculture and embrace improved methods to increase productivity.

The training attracted local leaders, agricultural extension workers and dozens of farmers eager to learn about proper coffee establishment and early farm management practices, signalling growing interest in coffee cultivation across Agago District.

Uganda has emerged as Africa’s top coffee exporter, with exports for the year ending October 2025 reaching a record 8.4 million 60 kg bags valued at US$ 2.4 billion, a significant 64% increase in value. The country, which mainly produces Robusta, has solidified its position due to increased production and higher global prices.

Uganda’s success is widely credited to government-backed efforts to enhance production, quality and expand market access. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has prioritised quality control, farmer training, and improved access to inputs, driving demand for Uganda’s distinctive Arabica and Robusta beans.