Kazo District, Uganda – Farmers across Kazo District are celebrating their most bountiful coffee harvest in years, crediting the transformative Muheesi Coffee Growing Promotion Initiative—affectionately dubbed “Little Brazil”—for reviving their fortunes.
Spearheaded by Maj Gen. (Rtd) Geoffrey Muheesi and his wife, Hon. Jennifer Muheesi, the district’s Woman Member of Parliament, the program has become a beacon of hope, equipping farmers with skills, resources, and infrastructure to turn coffee into a lucrative enterprise.
For years, coffee farming in Kazo was plagued by low yields, poor practices, and limited market access. Today, jubilant farmers point to overflowing baskets of premium Arabica beans, attributing their success to the Muheesis’ holistic approach.
“This harvest is a miracle,” said Grace Nakyobe, a mother of four from Kyampangara Village, wiping tears of joy. “Before Hon. Muheesi came, we planted coffee like our grandparents did—no terracing, no proper care. Now, we’re earning more than ever.”
The initiative’s impact is rooted in its ambitious pillars, including the distribution of over 500,000 high-yield coffee seedlings to replace aging trees, training in modern farming techniques like terracing and organic manure use, and the provision of tarpaulins for proper drying. Farmers have also embraced eco-friendly pest control, while ongoing construction of storage facilities and processing plants promises to eliminate exploitative middlemen and boost profits.
The gratitude toward Hon. Jennifer Muheesi, who personally oversaw grassroots mobilization, resonates deeply. John Byaruhanga, a 58-year-old farmer, described how the MP’s frequent field visits and mentorship changed mindsets. “She taught us coffee isn’t just a crop—it’s a business. My earnings have tripled, and I’m finally building a brick house,” he said, waving a handful of glossy beans.
For women like Harriet Tukamushaba, the initiative has been life-changing. “Before, husbands sold coffee and spent the money alone. Now, Hon. Muheesi organized us into cooperatives. We control our earnings, pay school fees, and even save,” she said, grinning beside her newly purchased solar dryer.
Hon. Jennifer Muheesi, hailed as “Mama Coffee” by locals, emphasized that the harvest celebration marks a starting point, not the finish line. “Our goal is to make Kazo a model coffee hub. We’re launching a branding campaign to showcase ‘Kazo Coffee’ globally,” she said, adding that partnerships with exporters are being finalized.
She also praised farmers’ resilience, noting that their hard work proves Uganda’s agriculture can compete globally. “We won’t stop at coffee—this is about holistic prosperity: roads, schools, and healthcare.”
As trucks line up to transport Kazo’s harvest to markets, the district’s landscape tells a story of renewal: terraced hills lush with coffee, farmers proudly sorting beans, and the hum of construction at new processing sites. For once, the aroma of success is as rich as the coffee itself.
“When I sip my coffee now, it tastes like hope,” said Grace Nakyobe. “Hon. Muheesi didn’t just give us seedlings—she gave us pride.”