Uganda’s $5.3 Billion Coffee City Plan Draws Praise and Skepticism
Uganda has unveiled an ambitious plan to build a $5.3 billion “Coffee City,” an expansion of the existing Africa Coffee Park that aims to transform the country’s coffee sector through value addition, technology, and tourism.
The project, promoted as a smart city, plans to integrate coffee processing plants, a coffee academy, tourism sites, a coffee-backed currency, and even a coffee stock exchange. It also intends to incorporate artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Proponents say it could generate $5.3 billion annually and create one million jobs, capitalizing on Uganda’s coffee export boom, which reached $2.4 billion last year.
However, the plan has sparked mixed reactions. Critics have raised concerns over the allocation of $48 million in public funds to the project, linking it to past spending controversies and labeling it a potential scam.
In a post on X, Snr. Cde. Robert Kabushenga called the initiative a “con act to funnel public funds out of the Treasury for personal gain.” He alleged a “hidden & cynical ploy” to divert public debate away from pressing national issues, including election failures, political violence, corruption, and an uncertain political future.
Meanwhile, supporter Dr. Tugume Nelson O hailed the vision, posting: “Happy to unveil our planned $5.3B smart Coffee City—that will blend coffee value addition, coffee tourism, coffee currency, coffee stock exchange, artificial intelligence & blockchain technology.”
The government and project advocates argue that Coffee City is a necessary bold step to move Uganda up the value chain beyond raw coffee exports. Skeptics, however, continue to demand greater transparency and accountability to ensure the project delivers on its promises without wasting public resources.
As discussions unfold online and in public forums, the project remains at the center of a heated debate between economic optimism and political skepticism.
About The Author
