Our Story
Nestled on the slopes of Wanale Hill, my parents established a farm in Mooni village, Mbale District (now Mbale City), embracing the rich tradition of mixed farming passed down through generations of our Bugisu family. Witnessing their dedication to cultivating coffee alongside other crops and livestock instilled in me a deep appreciation for our agricultural heritage.
In 2017, following my retirement from formal employment and a commitment to entrepreneurship, my father and I sought to expand our coffee acreage. Despite encountering challenges such as unreliable water supply and difficulty obtaining the right seedlings, we remained undeterred in our pursuit.
Inspired by my father’s dedication to producing high-quality coffee, I recognized an opportunity to make a difference. Leveraging my marketing background, I founded Mountain of the Sun Coffee Ltd to address key challenges in the coffee sector, particularly in our region and contribute towards making Bugisu Arabica great again.
Birth of Mountain of the sun coffee
The name “Mountain of the Sun Coffee” is a tribute to a cherished childhood memory. Growing up in Mbale City, my siblings and I would wake up between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM to see the sun rise above the Wanale range on Mt. Elgon as we prepared for school. Inspired by our lessons about Mt. Rwenzori in western Uganda, known as the “Mountain of the Moon,” we affectionately named Mt. Elgon the “Mountain of the Sun.” This whimsical connection between the moon rising over Mt. Rwenzori and the sun greeting us from Mt. Elgon, where we source our coffee, sparked our imagination and gave our coffee brand its unique and meaningful name.
A vision takes root
Mountain of the Sun Coffee Ltd was founded with a mission to facilitate a shift from traditional subsistence farming to commercial farming, improve the quality and quantity of Arabica coffee grown in our region, enhance financial literacy among coffee farmers, promote sustainable farming practices, and connect our region to credible and profitable coffee markets globally.
Our Farm
After the establishment of Mountain of the Sun Coffee Ltd, we expanded our coffee acreage on the gentle slopes of Wanale Hill, creating Wabomba DC Mixed Farm. Spanning approximately 4 acres, this model farm showcases the integration of coffee cultivation with bananas, indigenous trees and various livestock species for both commercial and subsistence purposes. Situated on the slopes of Wanale range on Mt. Elgon, our farm benefits from ideal conditions for Arabica coffee production.
Working with farmers
To address common challenges and improve quality, we collaborate with other farmers and agronomists in high-altitude coffee-growing areas of Mt. Elgon, such as Buginyanya, Bududa, Kapchorwa, Namisindwa, and Budadiri. This collaborative effort enables us to share ideas, promote sustainable farming practices, and source top-quality coffee from trusted farmers within our community.
