Rwenzori mountain

The Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” stretch along the western border of Uganda and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, encompassing districts such as Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kabarole, and Ntoroko. The region is renowned for its high-quality Arabica coffee, grown at elevations between 1,200 and 2,400 meters above sea level, where volcanic soils are fertile and rich in organic matter. The area experiences a cool, humid tropical climate with annual rainfall ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 mm, frequent cloud cover, and misty conditions in higher altitudes—all factors that favor Arabica coffee cultivation and contribute to complex flavor profiles.

Coffee farming in the Rwenzori region is predominantly smallholder-based, with farmers managing plots of less than two hectares. Mixed cropping systems are common, with coffee interplanted with bananas, maize, beans, and root crops. Shade management is typical, as indigenous trees and banana canopies provide partial shade, which helps maintain soil moisture, reduce heat stress, and improve bean quality. Farmers combine traditional practices with modern agronomy, including the use of improved seedlings, mulching, pruning, and selective disease management.

The harvest season generally spans from October to February, following the main rainy period. Coffee cherries are hand-picked selectively to ensure only ripe cherries are harvested. Processing is primarily conducted using the washed (wet) method, where cherries are pulped, fermented, washed, and sun-dried on raised beds. This meticulous processing produces high-quality beans with distinctive attributes, including bright acidity, floral and fruity notes, and medium body.

Despite favorable growing conditions, coffee production in the Rwenzori Mountains faces challenges such as steep and rugged terrain limiting farm expansion, soil erosion, pests and diseases (notably coffee berry disease and leaf rust), climate variability, and fluctuating international coffee prices. Nevertheless, coffee remains a key livelihood crop, providing income and employment for smallholder farmers and forming a critical part of Uganda’s Arabica export portfolio. The Rwenzori region is particularly valued in the specialty coffee market for producing beans with refined flavors that are highly sought after by roasters and exporters worldwide.