As the curtains closed on the 2025 World Travel, Trade and Taste Expo, the world had smelled an unusual aroma.
It was the unmistakable, earthy, citrusy warmth of Ugandan coffee, freshly brewed and proudly poured by none other than Allan Kajik, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada.
In a gesture that was both humble and strategic, Kajik didn’t just hand out coffee but served it.
With sleeves rolled, smile wide, and vision sharp, he handed the final guests wrist bracelets bearing the iconic Visit Uganda emblem.
“This isn’t just a cup of coffee,” he told one mesmerized guest. “It’s a sip of our soil, our story, our soul.”
As Canadian attendees leaned in to inhale the rich scent of Uganda’s golden brew, they weren’t just tasting a product, they were encountering a country.
Each cup was paired with roasted beans and a deeper truth that Uganda is no longer content to be a raw supplier but is becoming a storyteller, exporter, and partner on its own terms.
By turning the closing ceremony into an interactive showcase of authentic Ugandan culture and taste, Kajik did more than represent his country, he reintroduced it.
The wrist bracelets weren’t just souvenirs but silent commitments, a symbolic call to every guest to come visit the Pearl of Africa, taste its brew and invest in the country’s potential.
“Every bean has a story. Ours is written in volcanic soil, picked with ancestral pride, and brewed with the spirit of a rising nation,” Kajik told the gathering.
“We don’t just export coffee—we export identity, resilience, and partnership.”
Uganda is Africa’s second-largest coffee exporter and ranks eighth globally, contributing over 5 million 60-kg bags annually to the international market.
Uganda is one of the few countries in the world that naturally grows both Arabica and Robusta—the latter originating natively in Uganda’s highland forests.
Coffee contributes over 20% to Uganda’s foreign exchange earnings and the industry supports approximately 1.8 million households, making it one of the country’s largest employment sectors.
Uganda exported coffee worth $940 million USD in 2023, with key markets in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Its specialty Arabica from Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls has won acclaim in premium markets for its wine-like acidity and floral undertones.
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