Kawacom washing station

The story

Kawacom has been a long-standing operator in the Ugandan coffee sector, managing extensive quality-focused projects across the Mount Elgon region. The organization has grown significantly since its inception, expanding its network to support thousands of smallholder farmers through centralized milling and processing infrastructure.

Challenges

Farmers in the region have historically relied on rudimentary home processing techniques, leading to inconsistencies in quality. Additionally, the station must manage strict collection and milling standards to maintain certifications and ensure accountability across a large, dispersed network of smallholder farms.

Innovations

Kawacom has implemented advanced washing and drying protocols, including a specific 18-hour dry fermentation followed by a 48-hour water soak to improve cup clarity. They also pioneered the testing of high-quality natural-sundried processing in Uganda starting in 2015 to diversify their specialty offerings.