Diocese of Northern Uganda forms coffee farmers’ cooperative society

GULU CITY,  July 9, 2025 –– The Church of Uganda Diocese of Northern Uganda has established the Diocese of Northern Uganda Coffee Cooperative Society Limited, aimed at uniting coffee farmers across the Acholi Sub-region to support efforts in combating household poverty.

Formed earlier this year, the cooperative currently boasts a membership of 1,056 farmers drawn from the Acholi Sub-region   districts of Amuru, Omoro, Gulu, and Nwoya districts.

Bishop Godfrey Loum, Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda and Patron of the cooperative, stated that they aim to cultivate at least 500,000 acres of coffee in the region. A central nursery bed capable of producing 500,000 coffee seedlings is already being established to support this ambition.

He explained that the cooperative intends to assist vulnerable farmers who cannot afford to purchase seedlings by offering them on loan, with repayment expected after the harvest.

“To protect farmers from being exploited by low-price buyers, the cooperative will buy their coffee beans and sell them on their behalf,” Bishop Loum said.

Reverend Alfred Komakech, Archdeacon of Awere Archdeaconry, noted that many farmers have previously missed out on free government coffee seedlings due to lack of information or being overlooked in favour of better-connected individuals.

Rev Komakech expressed optimism that the cooperative society will enable more people to take up coffee farming and help lift households out of poverty within five years.

In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, and Operation Wealth Creation, the Diocese is currently distributing free coffee seedlings to members of the cooperative, with 20,000 seedlings already distributed in Omoro district.

https://thecooperator.news/youth-cooperative-in-lira-city-seeks-coffee-hulling-machine/

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