THE LOCATION
Deep in Western Uganda, the Rwenzori mountains loom creating a majestic border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These mountains have been called the “Mountains of the Moon.”
This lunar type landscape is awe-inspiring with flat valleys leading up to towering peaks. A rainforest wraps itself around the mountain range, creating a unique micro-climate and weather pattern. In the local language of Rukonjo, Rwenzori means “rainmaker” and it is aptly named. The 2,000+ masl altitude makes this one of East Africa’s best locations for high-quality coffee farming.
THE CHALLENGE
These mountains are full of potential, but sadly the communities surrounding them have not benefited from this. Rebel groups have historically filled the area with conflicts and warlords. Without peace, coffee farmers have been at the mercy of ever-changing political tides for their food security and their farming ability. Now, conflicts in the region have become less common and rebel groups are being rooted out. Peace has finally settled on the coffee farmers of Western Uganda.
Ugandan coffees often lack vibrancy and clarity, and even more often they are not produced in a traceable or transparent way that includes long-lasting relationships with producers. We plan to bring out the best in our Rwenzori coffees through precise production, agricultural inputs for farmers, and through the planting of our own farm.
We have made a partnership with a local co-op union in the area to help transform a community of farms surrounding the Rwenzori region of Uganda. Our friends at the co-op work with 3,500 smallholding coffee farmers, all eager to produce the best possible Arabica coffee. From best farming practices to pulping and producing exportable coffee, we will be there every step of the way. Our goal is to produce the finest Arabica coffee in Uganda and affect coffee farming communities in positive ways as we reach this goal.
THE PLAN
Our plan to accomplish this is twofold. Our first step is to build a Long Miles Coffee central washing station at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains between the cities of Fort Portal and Kasese. This LMC Rwenzori station will work alongside our friends at the co-op to deliver farmers coffee cherries directly to us. Our process of quality control and cherry selection from the farm right through to the washing station itself is built on what we have learned in Burundi. The year on year improvement in quality will begin at the farm level with our Coffee Scout program. Our Coffee Scouts are a local full-time team of youth trained as junior agronomists to ensure maximum quality and volume for each farming family. Our approach in Uganda will be as unique as our first fully organic undertaking.
Our second step is to plant a coffee farm. Tucked up against the rainforest at the top of the Rwenzori Mountains, we are planting a model farm with its own washing station. This farm will showcase variety as well as best organic farming practices. Indigenous green belts of re-planted rainforest will eventually separate different variety plots, giving back to the mountain what decades of deforestation have taken from it. Our Trees For Kibira project will be central to our efforts in Uganda and remains our commitment to helping slow climate change throughout East Africa.
Our farm will be planted with the roaster in mind. Micro plots will be dedicated to roasters who are then able to lock and in and pre-commit to coffees. This will give us the ability to plant the variety roasters want and process each micro lot in their desired method. Our hope is not only to showcase Uganda’s potential but also to invest in long-term and transparent relationships with roasters.