In a bid to boost quality, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has organized the third edition of the Best of the Pearl Arabica Competition 2023.

The competition attracted participants from across Uganda, especially from the Arabica coffee growing areas who handed in their samples at the UCDA Quality Laboratory in Lugogo. The best samples chosen for the final stage of the competition were chosen based on the flavor, aroma, acidity, and fragrance, among others of the coffee. Coffee is one of Uganda’s leading foreign exchange-earners.  

In an effort to promote Uganda’s finest coffees and ensure greater visibility in the international market, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, organized the Best of the Pearl Arabica Competition to select the best Arabica coffee in Uganda.

Veronica Najjemba, who is the Value Addition and Promotions Manager at the coffee development authority, said that the competition is about celebrating and putting out and marketing Uganda’s coffee to the world.

Uganda’s coffee has been lauded world over for its unique attributes and ranked as one of the best in the world but many rural coffee farmers have no idea how coffee is scored in international markets.

But Najjemba says farmers who participate in these competitions gain visibility in the international market since these same samples are used to market Ugandan coffee.

Brenda Kemigisha Mangeni who was the head judge applauded the participants and encouraged those who have not joined the competition to be part of it next time.

She highlighted some of the protocols followed to ensure better quality coffee. The leading samples are put to the global market where buyers look out for the best coffee in the world.

Coffee is a major contributor to the Ugandan economy and its significance has been growing over the years it contributes nearly a third of the country’s export earnings. Over 1.8 million households grow coffee from which they earn a livelihood.

LUKE