By Kabugho Sharon, Communications officer.
Hon. Raphael Magezi, the Minister of Local Government, pledged his full support to Agri Evolve Coffee Company Limited after a fact-finding visit to its operations in Kisinga Town Council, Kasese District on 20th August 2025. The visit followed a request by Kasese District Local Government for the minister to issue a letter of no objection, paving the way for Agri Evolve to lease 20 acres of council land for 49 years to operate its coffee processing plant and handle other coffee relevant services.
The minister toured the company’s facilities, interacted with management and farmers, and expressed satisfaction with Agri Evolve’s contribution to the local economy. “I cannot refuse to give them a letter of no objection,” he said. “They are doing development work that is directly transforming lives”. He emphasized that Coffee is a high-value crop, “with just one acre, a farmer can earn about UGX 675,000 a month equivalent to a job earning”.
Agri Evolve, a coffee export company founded by Mr. Jonnie Rolland, currently employs 100 full-time staff, including 40 coffee extension officers, and provides seasonal employment to over 300 workers. Beyond processing and exporting coffee to international markets, the company supports local farmers with seedlings, fertilizers, training in good farming practices, and community projects in schools and health facilities.
During the engagement, over 100 farmers gathered to welcome the minister. Local leaders hailed Agri Evolve for creating jobs and opening global market opportunities for Kasese coffee.
Mr. Bwambale Aliganisa, LC I Chairperson of Kinyankoko Kisinga towncouncil, praised the company for offering employment to youth who might otherwise be idle. “This company has reduced crime by keeping young people working. Farmers should plant more coffee because Agri Evolve has connected us to international markets,” he said.
Kasese’s Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Walakira Paul, urged farmers to double their production while maintaining high quality to meet international standards. He reminded them to wisely use coffee earnings to improve their families’ welfare and to support children especially girls to complete their education.
Agri Evolve’s Director, Mr. Rolland Jonnie, emphasized Uganda’s potential to produce quality coffee like other coffee giants e.g Brazil however government needs to strengthen the enforcement of coffee policies to realize quality production. “Rwenzori has everything it takes to produce world-class coffee. But it starts with farmers practicing the basics on harvest and post-harvest handling. Quality determines the markets and ultimately the benefits to the farmer, community, and country. No one benefits from poor quality coffee.” He said.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Magezi not only assured Agri Evolve of his support for the 49-year lease but also recommended that the company establish demonstration farms across the district to scale up best practices. He further pledged to write to the district leadership to prioritize road construction in coffee-producing areas to ease transportation of produce.
The minister’s assurance now sets the stage for Agri Evolve to expand its processing capacity in Kasese, a move expected to boost employment, improve household incomes, and position the Rwenzori region as a hub for high-quality coffee on the global market.
The end.
