In coffee-producing Uganda, a movement is growing to empower women in the coffee industry. Meridah Nandudu, founder of Bayaaya Specialty Coffee, is leading a charge to give women more control over their profits. By offering a higher price per kilogram of coffee beans, Nandudu has seen more women step into roles traditionally held by men. Her business now includes over 600 women, changing how coffee is grown, harvested, and sold in Uganda’s eastern region.
Empowering Women in Uganda’s Coffee Industry
Uganda is one of Africa’s largest coffee producers. The crop is a major source of income, and coffee is Uganda’s top export. According to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Uganda exported $1.3 billion worth of coffee from September 2023 to August 2024. However, women, who make up most of the workforce, often do the hard labor but see little financial benefit.
Meridah Nandudu saw this inequality while growing up in Sironko District, a rural area near the Kenyan border. As a young girl, she helped her mother and other women with every step of the coffee process. From planting to post-harvest tasks, women did much of the work. But when it came time to sell the coffee, men took control of the money.
Nandudu decided to change this. She introduced a program where women received a higher price per kilogram of coffee. The price increase encouraged more women to participate in the coffee business.
A Growing Network of Women Coffee Growers
Bayaaya Specialty Coffee, which Nandudu founded in 2018, has grown rapidly. It now includes over 600 women, making up 75% of the registered farmers in the area. This cooperative is unique in the Mbale region for its focus on empowering women. Bayaaya also offers a savings society where members can save money and borrow from the group.
For many farmers in Uganda, small price changes are a big deal. In the past, the price paid by middlemen was about $2 per kilogram. Now, it has risen to $5. Bayaaya offers an additional 200 shillings per kilogram for coffee brought by women, making it a valuable incentive. This motivates more women to join the cooperative.
The cooperative also offers a bonus during the off-season, from February to August. This helps provide steady income, ensuring women can contribute financially to their households. It also allows them to make decisions about how to spend the money without relying on their husbands.
Shifting Social Norms and Financial Independence
Nandudu’s efforts have created a sense of teamwork in many households. Women now help decide how coffee profits are spent. This shift is significant in a culture where men typically manage finances. Women like Linet Gimono, who joined Bayaaya in 2022, say it has improved their financial independence. “I can buy soap, sugar, and other small things without arguing with my husband,” she said.
Another member, Juliet Kwaga, explained how her mother never thought about collecting coffee earnings. It was always the man’s role. “Now, my husband is comfortable sending me to sell the coffee,” she said. “At the end of the day, I bring home something to feed my family and support my children.”
The Changing Coffee Culture in Sironko District
In Sironko District, coffee farming is crucial to the local economy. Many families own small plots of land—about one to two acres—where they grow coffee. Though many farmers do not drink coffee themselves, interest is growing among younger women. As more women join the coffee business, especially in urban areas like Mbale, coffee culture is spreading.
Phoebe Nabutale, a quality assurance manager at Darling Coffee in Mbale, is one of the women breaking barriers in the industry. Raised in a coffee-growing family, Nabutale helps others enter the field. “My friends often ask how they can get involved in coffee,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see more women interested in the business.”
Impact on Local Communities and Future Prospects
The rise of women in Uganda’s coffee industry is a positive change. Nandudu’s Bayaaya Specialty Coffee is an example of how small changes can make a big difference. Women now have more control over their earnings and the coffee trade. This shift is helping challenge traditional gender roles in agriculture.
The success of women-led initiatives like Bayaaya is encouraging. It shows that, with the right support, women in coffee-producing regions can succeed. Their involvement is also contributing to the growth of Uganda’s coffee industry, which has become even more important as coffee production declines in other countries like Brazil.
The future of Uganda’s coffee industry looks brighter with more women taking charge. Their participation is reshaping the sector and improving the lives of families in rural communities.
