President Museveni has awarded six entrepreneurs and industrialists for their contribution to Uganda’s economic development during the Mustard Seed Awards 2025 held at Africa Coffee Park in Rwashameire, Ntungamo District.
The event, organised by Inspire Africa Coffee, marked 40 years of growth and formed part of the President’s inspection visit to Africa Coffee Park, a 150-acre industrial facility focused on coffee processing and value addition. The project is positioned to become one of the largest coffee-processing hubs in Eastern and Central Africa.
Among the award recipients were Jennifer Mwijukye, founder and chief executive officer of Unifreight Cargo Handling Ltd; Hao Zhang, managing director and chairman of Liao Shen Industrial Park; Idro Taban, chief executive officer of Zero Waste; and Barak Orland, chief executive officer of BAR Aviation, among others.
Addressing guests, President Museveni said Uganda’s export earnings have, for the first time, exceeded the country’s import bill, attributing the development to increased value addition across key sectors.
He encouraged Ugandans to prioritise entrepreneurship, describing it as the central driver that coordinates land, labour, and capital to generate production and growth. He also warned against economic leakage, which he described as a persistent challenge limiting Africa’s economic potential.
The President commended Inspire Africa Coffee and its leadership for investing in coffee value addition and innovation, including the use of coffee husks to produce organic fertiliser aimed at improving soil productivity and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Janet Museveni praised the project for its job creation potential, noting that large-scale investment in the coffee value chain is reshaping the sector and opening new opportunities for farmers and young people.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa lauded the establishment of a fertiliser plant at the facility, saying it would help farmers access affordable inputs, increase yields, and improve household incomes. He also cited the development of coffee tourism infrastructure as an added benefit to the local economy.
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda highlighted the project as an example of how private initiative can complement national development goals, noting that Ugandan coffee from regions such as Buganda, Kigezi, Ankole, and Bugisu has gained access to international markets including the United States, Turkey, and China.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Monica Musenero said government support for science and innovation has begun to yield measurable economic outcomes, with research increasingly translating into industrial and commercial applications.
Inspire Africa Coffee founder Nelson Tugume described the project as the result of years of resilience and long-term vision, noting that it aligns with Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV 2025/26–2029/30).
Under NDP IV, coffee is identified as one of six priority agricultural value chains for value addition. The Inspire Africa Coffee project aims to support Uganda’s transition from bulk coffee exports to high-value production and increase the sector’s value from USD 2 billion to USD 5 billion by 2030.
Earlier in the day, the President toured the fertiliser production facility at the park before addressing a public rally later in Ntungamo District. The event was attended by government officials, legislators, district leaders, religious leaders, and members of the business community.
