Ugandan farmer triumphs in France, wins global coffee gold contest

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Uganda's specialty coffee continues to shine on the global stage, with a remarkable win that underscores the country’s growing prominence in the international coffee market. At the 11th International Contest of Coffees Roasted at Origin, held this week in Paris, Martin Nangoli, a coffee farmer and entrepreneur from Mbale, Uganda, emerged victorious, clinching the Gold Medal, which is the competition’s most prestigious accolade.

His award-winning brand, Kikobero Coffee, triumphed among more than 200 coffee entries from 25 countries across four continents, including global powerhouses like Brazil, Peru and Colombia, as well as fellow African producers like Ivory Coast.

“I am extremely happy about this achievement because it shows that Ugandan coffee is continuing to make important strides on the global market,” said a visibly elated Nangoli following the announcement. “This is not just my win, it is a win for Uganda.”

Nangoli (right) with the Ugandan Ambassador to France, Ruth Amule. (Courtesy)

The Agency for Valorisation of Agricultural Products (AVPA) are the organiser of this competition with the aim of enabling producers to improve consumer perception of exceptional coffees cultivated and roasted properly by the producers.

AVPA offers an opportunity to producers (individual or organised in associations or cooperatives) who take responsibility for their roasting and roasters located in the countries of production and guarantee the traceability of their coffees, to participate in the contest “Coffees roasted at origin”.

Previously, in 2023, Kigobero Coffee won Silver, behind two Ugandan coffee brands: Gorilla Highlands from Bwindi and Sasa Coffee from the Mount Elgon area, which won gold.

It was then followed by Zicofe and Nucafe in receiving Silver, while Big Gorilla, Dicana Coffee and Sipi Hills won bronze medals.

Others, including Mugamba Organic, Nucafe, Elgon Pride, Gorilla Conservation Coffee and Masha Coffee, were also recognised with Certificates of Excellence.

However, this year, Kikobero coffee brand has been able to win gold something which clearly shows that they have significantly improved their coffees.

Some of the whites enjoying Ugandan coffee during the G-25 summit held at Speke Resort Munyonyo recently. (Courtesy)

A journey fueled by passion, faith, and global support

In a heartwarming twist, Nangoli revealed that his trip to France was made possible by a generous fan from Australia, who covered his travel expenses to ensure Uganda was represented on the international stage.

“The official award ceremony is scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2025,” he shared. “But the announcement came early, and I was so surprised and overjoyed. I never imagined I would be here, but someone believed in me, and also believed in Ugandan coffee.”

The secret behind Kikobero Coffee's success

Nangoli attributes Kikobero’s international recognition to a combination of Uganda’s natural blessings and the company's unwavering commitment to quality.

“We are intentional about producing a cup of excellence,” he said. “Uganda has all the natural conditions needed to produce specialty coffee, such as the altitude, soil, and climate. But we go further by ensuring that every bean meets the exacting standards of specialty buyers around the world.”

Kikobero Coffee specialises in DRUGAR (Dried Ugandan Arabica), a natural process coffee known for its deep, fruity flavour profiles. The company also produces WUGAR (Washed) and Honey Processed coffees.

What sets Kikobero apart, Nangoli emphasised, is not just the quality of the beans but the integrity of the entire process, including being an EUDR-approved with full GPS traceability, direct farmer engagement and training, start-to-finish control from harvest to roasting, as well as having international certifications and endorsements

“We are not just growing coffee; we are crafting an experience,” he explained. “Our coffee was approved by international judges and stood strong against coffees from across the world. That means something.”

Looking ahead: expanding to Europe

With this year’s harvest already underway, Nangoli has ambitious plans for the future. His goal is to export Kikobero’s roasted specialty coffee directly to Schengen countries, targeting discerning European buyers who are increasingly seeking ethically sourced, traceable, and high-quality beans.

“We want to be more than exporters of green coffee. We want Uganda to be known for roasted-at-origin excellence. That’s how we retain value in the country and empower our communities.”

Uganda's rising star in global coffee

Uganda has long been known for its robusta exports, but in recent years, the country’s Arabica coffee sector, particularly from regions like Mt. Elgon, where Kikobero is based, has gained international recognition for specialty quality.

In fact, this is not the first time Ugandan farmers have excelled at the International Contest of Coffees Roasted at Origin. In previous editions of the competition, other Ugandan coffees have also won accolades, signaling a broader trend of excellence.

The growing interest in Ugandan coffee is fueled by: unique highland terroirs (especially Mt. Elgon and Rwenzori), increasing farmer knowledge of specialty processing, government and NGO support for traceability and sustainability, participation in international expos and coffee fairs.

About Kikobero Coffee Company

With over 20 years of experience in Uganda’s specialty coffee industry, Kikobero Coffee Company is a trusted leader in high-quality Arabica coffee. The company prides itself on: direct farmer partnerships and training, sustainable practices, transparent, and ethical sourcing

Global partnerships and market exposure

Their vision is clear: to make Ugandan-roasted specialty coffee a household name in Europe, Asia, and beyond.

“We’re not just exporting coffee, we are exporting Uganda’s story, one cup at a time,” said Nangoli.

Let us brew into the future.

Kikobero Coffee invites global partners, roasters, and buyers to join them in their journey from the fertile soils of Mt. Elgon to the shelves of cafés and specialty shops worldwide.