The story of Kyamuswakizi Ranch and Agricultural Farm Ltd is one of vision, patience, sacrifice, and unwavering persistence—a journey that began long before coffee ever took root in its soil.
Around 2008, with a clear goal in mind, I set out to acquire land in Kakoge for cattle fattening and trade. At the time, land was affordable—an acre cost just UGX 450,000. I seized the opportunity and, over time, bought as much land as I could from neighbors who were willing to sell. What I did not realize then was that this land would one day transform into a vast and thriving coffee estate. It was as though a greater plan was unfolding—one I could not yet see.
Fast forward to March 2020, during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. I travelled to Luwero for a banking transaction that unexpectedly took over two and a half hours. Frustrated, I reached out to a friend, who intervened and connected me to the bank manager.
When the manager arrived, he explained the delay: it was peak coffee harvest season, and the bank was flooded with coffee farmers depositing large sums of cash. In Uganda, many farmers still rely heavily on cash transactions. That moment changed everything.
At the time, my tourism business had come to a standstill due to COVID, and a school I had built had not yet opened because institutions were closed nationwide. Life felt uncertain—like standing at a crossroads.
But in that bank, surrounded by coffee farmers depositing the fruits of their labor, I saw a new path.
I shared this experience with my former classmate, Dr. Kawooya Sulaiman. His advice was simple but powerful:
“If you have land, coffee is the way to go.”
He connected me to the management of Kaweri Coffee Farm, one of Uganda’s largest
and most established coffee farms. Despite COVID restrictions and strict no-visitor policies, I persisted. I called daily—introducing myself each time—until I was finally referred to their agronomist, Jeremiah Mwangi.
Even then, the answer was no. But persistence breaks resistance. Every day, I called. Every day, I asked. I promised safety, masks, and distance. Eventually, he agreed.
Kaweri Coffee Farm is about 190 km from Kampala. On the day of my appointment, my husband and I woke up early and arrived by 8:00 AM—two hours ahead of schedule.
Mr. Mwangi was surprised—but I was determined.
What I saw left me in awe: vast, well-managed coffee fields stretching across the landscape, a living example of what was possible. The farm had been thriving for over two decades.
That visit planted a seed—not just in the soil, but in my mind.
We invited Mr. Mwangi to visit our land. Two months later, he came.
When he asked how many acres I wanted to start with, I confidently said 100. He smiled and advised:
“Start with 5 acres. One acre holds about 450 plants—you’ll have 2,250 plants to manage.”
But my dream was bigger. Building from the Ground Up
With his guidance, I began. He identified what we already had:
Fertile land Good soils Cow dung Charcoal dust
That was enough.
I made a bold promise: to build a replica of Kaweri Coffee Farm in Kyamuswakizi Village, Nakasongola District.
The journey was not easy. In fact, it was lonely.
We sold family land, used our savings, and took loans to raise capital. We invested in tractors, a bulldozer for land clearing, irrigation systems, boreholes, and farming equipment. We built shelters for workers and sourced high-quality coffee seedlings—specifically the CWDR variety—from Kaweri.
One of the most powerful chapters of this journey came from something simple—coins. For over 10 years, I had saved coins. Every day, I would empty my bag and store them carefully at home.
When the time came, my children and I spent an entire month sorting those coins—UGX 500, 200, 100, and 50 denominations.
Those coins funded the digging of 13,500 planting pits—covering 30 acres. Each pit cost UGX 500.
That was the foundation of Kyamuswakizi. Growth and Expansion
From that humble beginning, the farm has grown to over 400 acres. Today, Kyamuswakizi Ranch and Agricultural Farm Ltd includes:
Extensive Robusta coffee plantations
Two mother gardens (CWDR and KR varieties from Kituza Coffee Research Center) Nursery beds producing over 60,000 seedlings
A coffee factory with a huller and grader Storage facilities
Tractors, trucks, machinery, and irrigation systems Worker support infrastructure
We also grow food crops to support workers and maintain sustainability.
Our farm is deeply connected to the Kyamuswakizi community.
We allocate land to local farmers for seasonal crops like maize—free of charge. In return:
They provide labor every Monday and Tuesday
During harvest, we receive one sack of maize per acre They contribute plant residues for mulching
This model creates shared growth, dignity, and mutual benefit. Looking Ahead
Despite the progress, there is still much to be done: (3-ephase power installation) Staff housing and facilities
Irrigation systems
A modern coffee roastery
Packaging, branding, and distribution infrastructure Training and tourism facilities
Under the brand Akizi Coffee, Kyamuswakizi is not just producing coffee—it is building a legacy.
With growing income streams from:
Green coffee sales Seedlings
Farm visits Food crops
And future plans including:
Training centers Coffee tourism
Value addition and export
The vision continues to expand. A Story of Purpose
Kyamuswakizi is more than a farm. It is a story of:
Faith in uncertain times Persistence in the face of rejection
Sacrifice and family support Community empowerment
And a bold vision for the future of Ugandan coffee
From cattle land to a 400-acre coffee enterprise, the journey proves one thing:
Great things grow when vision meets persistence.
By: HILDA NAKATO KYAZZE
