Museveni, Ruto to Grace Inaugural Coffee Marathon in Ntungamo

Ntungamo — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Kenya’s President William Ruto will this weekend headline the Africa Business Forum 2025, culminating in the first-ever Coffee Marathon and Concert at the Africa Coffee Park in Rwashamaire, Ntungamo District.

The landmark event, powered by Inspire Africa Group and proudly sponsored by Equity Bank, is not just a celebration of Uganda’s iconic coffee sector—it’s a bold declaration of intent to scale the industry from its current $1 billion value to $5 billion in five years.

“This is more than a marathon; it’s a movement,” said Kigongo Asuman, Public Relations Officer at Inspire Africa and Vice Chairperson of Ntungamo District. “With strategic partnerships in Russia and Turkey and the introduction of instant coffee production right here in Ntungamo, we’re pioneering a new chapter for Uganda’s coffee economy.”

Uganda has already seen a leap in coffee exports, with the country now shipping 15 containers per week, up from just 5, making it Africa’s leading coffee exporter. Inspire Africa aims to employ over 3,000 permanent staff, particularly uplifting rural coffee women, the core theme of this year’s event: “Uplifting the rural coffee woman out of poverty.”

“We’re empowering over 3,000 Ugandans through permanent employment, focusing especially on rural women who have long been sidelined,” said Kigongo. “The Coffee Marathon is a celebration of their hard work, resilience, and potential.”

“For far too long, our farmers have been disconnected from the final product,” Kigongo added. “We are changing that. From harvesting to drying, from packaging to barista training—our people will now own the entire process.”

Speaking ahead of the marathon, Nelson Tugume, CEO of Inspire Africa Group, emphasised the bigger vision: “The Africa Coffee Pack is about empowering the Black race to break free from the raw-material trap and claim real value in global trade. Out of the $460 billion global coffee economy, Uganda must secure at least $5 billion—and that starts now.”

According to Tugume, the Africa Coffee Pack stands for the Black race reclaiming its rightful place in the global value chain. Tugume stressed that the time has come for Africa to rethink its position.

“We are no longer just producers—we are innovators, processors, exporters, and brand owners,” he said. “My dream is to see Ugandan coffee become a premium, global brand brewed and packaged right here in Ntungamo.” “I want the African race to get away from the raw material mentality,” he added.

The event’s theme, “Uplifting the rural coffee woman out of poverty,” is more than symbolic. It’s practical, grounded in real systems and partnerships.

With two heads of state in attendance and a mission to revolutionise the coffee industry, Ntungamo’s Coffee Marathon is set to brew a legacy of unity, empowerment, and economic transformation.