Lango

The Lango sub-region of northern Uganda, comprising districts such as Lira, Apac, Oyam, Kole, and Dokolo, is an emerging coffee-producing area, contributing mainly to Uganda’s Robusta coffee sector. The region lies at moderate elevations of about 900–1,200 meters above sea level and experiences a tropical savanna climate with a distinct wet and dry season. Annual rainfall generally ranges between 1,200 and 1,500 mm, providing suitable conditions for Robusta coffee, particularly in areas with well-distributed rains and fertile soils.

Coffee cultivation in Lango is dominated by smallholder farmers, most of whom operate on small plots integrated into diversified farming systems. Coffee is commonly grown alongside food crops such as cassava, millet, sorghum, maize, beans, and groundnuts, which are central to household food security. In recent years, coffee has gained importance as a cash crop, encouraged by government programs, NGO support, and private-sector initiatives promoting coffee expansion in northern Uganda after decades of limited production due to past conflict.

Production systems in Lango are generally low-input, relying on family labor and rainfall rather than irrigation. Many farmers have planted improved Robusta varieties, including disease-resistant clonal coffee promoted through national coffee rehabilitation programs. Shade trees such as mango, albizia, and other multipurpose species are often used to protect coffee plants from heat stress and improve soil conditions. However, yields remain moderate, constrained by challenges such as limited access to fertilizers, variable rainfall, and gaps in extension services.

The coffee harvest seasons in Lango typically occur twice a year, with the main harvest from October to January and a smaller secondary harvest around April to June, depending on rainfall patterns. Cherries are hand-picked and usually processed using the dry (natural) method, where coffee is sun-dried before being sold to local traders, cooperatives, or buying centers. Coffee from Lango feeds into Uganda’s broader export system, where Robusta plays a dominant role.

Coffee production in the Lango sub-region has become increasingly important for post-conflict economic recovery and rural livelihoods, offering farmers a more reliable source of income compared to traditional food crops alone. While the region is not yet among Uganda’s top coffee-producing areas, continued investment in seedlings, training, infrastructure, and climate-smart practices is strengthening Lango’s role in the national coffee landscape. Overall, Lango represents a growing Robusta frontier, contributing to income diversification and long-term agricultural resilience in northern Uganda.