Published on 25/04/2025
The Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, on April 24, 2025, made a high-profile visit to the Inspire Africa Coffee park in Rwashamire, Ntungamo District.
The landmark tour aimed at encouraging and promote youth involvement in agriculture, particularly within Uganda’s coffee value chain.
The King was warmly received by Inspire Africa Coffee Group CEO Nelson Tugume, whose enterprise has garnered national recognition for advancing value addition and innovation in the coffee sector.
During his visit, King Oyo expressed his appreciation for the visionaries behind the Africa Coffee Park, noting that the facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology will play a pivotal role in adding value to Uganda’s coffee sector.
”Consequently, this factory is anticipated to add significant value to the coffee, thereby protecting farmers from being subjected to unfavourable and low prices. I encourage our people in Tooro Kingdom and beyond to put more efforts in growing Coffee to boost house hold incomes. I thank Management of Inspire Coffee, the Leadership of Ntungamo District and Farmers of Ntungamo District for the warm hospitality” King Oyo said.
In response, Tugume hailed the King Oyo’s visit as a powerful endorsement of youth-led agribusiness and a timely boost to the conversation on sustainable livelihoods through agricultural entrepreneurship.
”We are deeply honoured by His Majesty King Oyo’s visit to the Africa Coffee Park. His presence reaffirms our commitment to empowering youth through agribusiness and value addition. This royal endorsement strengthens our efforts to position Uganda’s coffee on the global stage while creating sustainable opportunities for the next generation” Tugume said.
”Thank you, Your Majesty for recognizing the value addition efforts at Africa Coffee Group. Your call to action inspires us to work even harder for coffee-growing households in Tooro and beyond. With leaders like you, Uganda’s coffee revolution is unstoppable” he added.
The Inspire Africa Coffee factory, known for its cutting-edge technology and commitment to quality, will take King Oyo through the entire coffee processing chain—from bean sorting to final packaging.
The factory has previously attracted national attention, with past visitors including President Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, and various parliamentary committees.
King Oyo’s visit also comes as preparations peak for the upcoming Inspire Africa Coffee Marathon, scheduled for 24 May 2025.
The event will feature Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz and Uganda’s own athlete Docus Inzikuru, further bridging agriculture, sport, and entertainment in a bid to inspire youth.
The Tooro monarch, who has long supported youth and agricultural initiatives, is expected to use his visit to rally more of his kingdom’s subjects—especially the young—to embrace coffee farming and value addition.
His influence, Tugume hopes, could encourage more farmers in Tooro to treat coffee not just as a crop, but as a strategic livelihood asset with global appeal.
“The world loves our coffee, but it begins with how we treat the bean here at home,” Tugume said. “Our goal is to ensure young Ugandans see coffee farming as a dignified and profitable venture.”
With royal attention now turning toward the hills of Ntungamo, stakeholders in the coffee sector will be watching closely to see how King Oyo’s presence might stir a renewed embrace of Uganda’s most iconic export crop.
