Kwezi Coffee was founded on February 19th, 2021, by two sisters, Barbara Mugeni and Pamella Kampire.
As third-generation women in the coffee industry, we are driven by the legacy of courageous women who shaped East Africa’s coffee landscape and our nation. These pioneering leaders paved the way, and it’s our duty to carry their legacy forward.
In Uganda, many young women play vital roles in the coffee supply chain — from cultivation to processing. Alongside other enterprises, we are dedicated to inclusivity and nation-building. Our aim is to empower these young women to meet quality standards and sell their coffee, ensuring they open opportunities and build a strong future for their households, education, or marriage.
Observing the underrepresentation of women in coffee, we were inspired to break barriers and foster a more inclusive industry. With qualifications in business management and life experiences, we are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this environment.
Driven by a resolve to drive change, we embarked on a journey to establish our own coffee company. Inspired by the morning star that shines over the Mountains of the Moon—our childhood backdrop—we named our venture “Kwezi Coffee,” after the Bantu word for ‘new dawn,’ and the hope it encapsulates.
Kwezi Coffee has evolved into more than just a business; it has become a platform to empower women within coffee-growing communities. By engaging directly with local farmers, particularly women and youth, we offer fair prices for their crops and provide the knowledge and resources necessary to enhance their agricultural practices.
Today, we are proud to be among the women who have paved their way in the coffee industry, as the first 100% female-owned-and-led coffee exporters in Uganda.
We are working with our team on:
- Gender Equality and Diversity: Increasing women and minority representation in the coffee industry fosters inclusivity and innovation, tapping into a wider talent pool.
- Environmental Sustainability: Prioritising sustainable farming practices, reducing deforestation, and minimising water usage protects biodiversity and ensures the long-term viability of coffee farming.
- Quality and Traceability: Emphasising high-quality beans and transparent supply chains ensures fair compensation for farmers and provides consumers with better-tasting coffee, building trust and loyalty.
Our Mission
At Kwezi Coffee, we’re dedicated to sourcing, processing, roasting, and exporting the finest Ugandan coffee beans.
Through sustainable farming methods and a steadfast commitment to excellence, we strive to offer an unparalleled coffee experience to customers worldwide, while empowering local coffee farmers and promoting economic growth in Uganda. As a female-owned and operated company, we focus on supporting and uplifting women in every aspect of the coffee supply chain, from farmers to entrepreneurs.
Our Team
Our work is supported by a team of 14 individuals, including 9 women and 8 youth.
Our leadership team
Barbara Mugeni
Founder/CEO
Barbara Mugeni is the co-founder and CEO of Kwezi Coffee Ltd. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from Makerere University Business School. She began her career as a tally clerk and progressed through roles such as Logistics Assistant and Logistics Manager, developing extensive expertise in coffee logistics and operations.
As CEO, Barbara directs Kwezi Coffee’s strategy, focusing on teamwork, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. She is committed to sustainable practices and empowering youth and women farmers. Her leadership aims to enhance supply chain workflows and explore growth opportunities in the coffee sector.
Nina Karungi
Head of Operations
Nina Karungi is the Head of Operations at Kwezi Coffee Limited, where she optimises processes and ensures compliance with industry regulations. With a background in logistics and leadership in the food sector, Nina drives operational excellence through detailed analysis and effective solutions.
Passionate about the coffee industry's potential for social and environmental change, Nina promotes sustainability in all aspects of operations at Kwezi Coffee. She is committed to sourcing sustainable beans, reducing the carbon footprint, and empowering local communities. Nina’s leadership focuses on aligning every cup of coffee with Kwezi Coffee’s values of environmental stewardship and community empowerment, aiming to leave a positive impact on the planet.
Kampire Pamella
Co-founder/Head of IT and Sustainability
Pamella Kampire, co-founder and Head of IT and Sustainability at Kwezi Coffee Company, is completing her final semester in Information Technology at Cavendish University, Uganda. She oversees IT solutions and client communications for roasted and packed coffee products.
Inspired by the impact of women in the coffee industry and the transformative power of coffee, Pamella integrates her IT skills with her passion for coffee. She is actively involved in exploring brewing techniques and developing innovative marketing strategies. Her work aims to enhance Kwezi Coffee's digital presence and operational efficiency, promoting community well-being and sustainability within the industry.
Michelle Apio
Sales and Marketing Manager
Michelle Apio is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Kwezi Coffee. She has a background in entrepreneurship and small business management from Makerere University. In her role, Michelle applies her strong foundation in business and her extensive experience in the coffee industry to drive strategic sales initiatives and contribute significantly to the growth and success of Kwezi Coffee. Her efforts focus on expanding market reach and enhancing customer engagement through innovative marketing strategies.
Timothy Sukuku
Procurement Manager
Timothy Sukuku manages purchasing, packaging, and transportation of coffee for export. With over five years in the coffee industry, he has held various roles including roasting specialist, stores manager, sales lead, quality analyst, and transportation manager. He excels in organisation, teamwork, and problem-solving, and thrives on challenges. Originally from Kapchorwa and Kween district in Eastern Uganda, a region known for its coffee farming, Timothy has experienced first-hand the impact of coffee on his education and life. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Uganda.
Ines Ineza
Finance Manager
Ines Ineza has a degree in Financial Engineering from Nkumba University. She provides crucial accounting support, combining academic knowledge with practical experience. Known for her motivation and eagerness to learn, Ines has experienced significant professional growth. She enjoys interacting with people, fostering connections, and exchanging ideas outside of work. With a vibrant personality and a commitment to continuous improvement, Ines is well-positioned to make a positive impact in her field.
Meet the Farmers Behind Kwezi Coffee
At Kwezi Coffee, our farmers are the backbone of our success. Their dedication and hard work have propelled us to remarkable milestones in coffee production.
Partnering closely with cooperatives of Ishaka Coffee Cooperative, Kabonero Cooperative Bunyangabu, and Kanungu Women Farmers’ Cooperative in the West, and Chema Farmers Group based in Kapchorwa in the East of Uganda, we’ve built a network of 2,714 growers. Among them, 1,520 are remarkable women, and 1,089 are dynamic youth, each contributing their expertise to our coffee.
The farms average around 456 coffee trees per farmer, spread across 615 hectares of land. Situated at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 masl, our coffee enjoys optimal growing conditions.
We cultivate both Robusta and Arabica varieties, each flowering and harvesting at distinct times of the year. Arabica blooms from March to May, while Robusta flowers from October to December. Arabica beans are harvested from August to November, and Robusta beans from April to June.
Despite facing challenges such as limited infrastructure, this resilient community collaborates with the farmers who call this place home to forge a brighter future for generations to come. Through collaborative efforts and a strong sense of community pride, we are working towards a brighter future for generations to come.
Kwezi Community Farm
Kwezi Community Farm sits in Fort Portal, within Uganda’s lush Western Region, about 296 km west of Kampala. It’s close to Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its diverse wildlife like elephants, buffalo, and Uganda kob. Nearby, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to the last mountain gorillas, while Kibale Forest hosts chimpanzees. On clear days, coffee farmers enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon. The local culture is shaped by the natural and social environment, with a history of mountain, valley, and plain living, cultivating coffee alongside crops like matooke, potatoes, cassava, yam, and beans, as well as raising goats, sheep, and children.
In 2019, we acquired a small plot of land where we began to realise our dreams. Situated at an elevation of 1500 – 1800 masl, our 5-hectare farm enjoys a temperate climate ideal for growing Arabica coffee varieties. The rich volcanic soils were full of life, and coffee trees were yielding high-quality beans.
We believe in natural processes, avoiding fancy chemicals or machinery. Our coffee is meticulously processed using methods passed down through generations. We carefully dry our beans in the sun and shade, allowing the flavours to develop gradually, like a captivating story unfolding.
Our farm is a testament to love and resilience. We share laughter, hard work, and growth together. It hasn’t always been easy, but as a family, we face every challenge head on. What we treasure most about Kwezi is the sense of belonging, of contributing to something greater than ourselves. Kwezi isn’t merely a farm or a business; it’s a collective dream we’re building together, one coffee bean at a time. As long as we stand united, there’s no obstacle we can’t overcome.