Manchester Coffee Festival (14th-16th November) has long been the city’s annual showcase of all things caffeinated, but 2025 promises something a little different: the long-awaited arrival of Ugandan speciality coffee, stepping proudly into the spotlight with its first-ever group appearance in the UK.
For many Mancunians, Ugandan coffee might still feel like the city’s best-kept secret - a rarity on local menus despite Uganda being the 7th largest coffee producer in the world. While many daily brews usually come courtesy of Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia or Vietnam, Uganda accounts for barely 1% of UK coffee imports. That’s something a new wave of Ugandan growers is determined to change.
Known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda’s landscape reads like a coffee lover’s dream. Think volcanic slopes, vast lakeside forests and sky-high mountain farms - terroirs that shape beans with distinctive character and depth. Coffee has grown here for over two centuries: Robusta has flourished wild around Lake Victoria since the 1800s, and Arabica was introduced by missionaries in the early 20th century.
Today, coffee is woven into the fabric of life for 1.7 million Ugandan households, and a new generation of growers is redefining what Ugandan coffee means on the global stage.
The country’s young, sustainability-minded producers are bringing more than great coffee to Manchester - they’re bringing stories of community empowerment, women-led initiatives and climate-smart farming.
Here are a few of the producers to look out for at the festival:
Mountain Harvest, Mount Elgon
Perched on the lush ridges of Mount Elgon, Mountain Harvest has become a champion for women in coffee. Back in 2019, only 13% of its network were women. In 2025? That figure has leapt to 41%, with women receiving training, fair wages and leadership opportunities, all while producing exceptional, high-altitude Arabica.
Ankole Cooperative Union, Southwestern Uganda
Working at altitudes of 1400–1900m, Ankole’s member farmers each tend tiny plots averaging 1.5 acres, around 600–700 coffee trees, using sustainable techniques such as intercropping bananas for shade and natural mulch. Their commitment to community runs deep, having helped fund local schools in the villages they serve. Expect cup profiles boasting floral, fruity and sweet notes.
Zamani Coffee, Sipi Region
Zamani Coffee isn’t just a business; it’s a movement. It's 250 smallholder farmers blend traditional growing methods with forward-thinking sustainability. They’ve even founded the Sipi Zamani Coffee Farmers Savings Cooperative, helping farmers save, plan and invest in community-led projects that secure their future — and that of their land.
Supported by the UK Trade Partnerships Programme, Ugandan producers are heading to Manchester to connect directly with roasters, baristas and consumers who care about not just flavour, but ethics, transparency and impact. For the city’s growing community of mindful coffee drinkers, it’s a chance to discover a new origin with real soul.
Ugandan coffee may not yet have the household-name status of other origins, but its sustainable farming methods, female-led workforces and community-first approach make it one to watch in 2025 and beyond.
If you’re keen to bring these beans into your daily brew, several specialist traders are now importing Ugandan lots to supply roasters across Manchester and the wider North West:
The Manchester Coffee Festival (14th-16th November) is the North's biggest coffee party, bringing together an eclectic mix of the best speciality coffee and hospitality brands. There will be live competitions, talks and panel discussions, and live DJs.
Find out more here.