Arabica in Uganda
Uganda is known for Robusta, but its highlands grow serious Arabica. Around 15 percent of exports are Arabica, and in December 2025 Arabica export volume was 186 percent higher than a year earlier as farmers on Mount Elgon and in the Rwenzori mountains responded to prices (MAAIF export report, December 2025). The coffee grows between roughly 1,400 and 2,300 metres on volcanic soils, mostly from SL14, SL28, Nyasaland and KP varieties, and is processed both washed and natural.
Grades explained
| Grade | Process | Region | Reported export value, Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bugisu AA | Fully washed | Mount Elgon (Bugisu, Sipi, Kapchorwa) | US$7.75/kg |
| Bugisu A / B / PB | Fully washed | Mount Elgon | Bugisu AB US$6.50/kg |
| Mount Elgon A+ | Fully washed, origin-graded | Mount Elgon | US$8.24/kg |
| Wugar (washed Uganda Arabica) | Fully washed | Rwenzori, West Nile, other regions | US$7.93/kg |
| Drugar (dry Uganda Arabica) | Natural | Rwenzori, West Nile | US$7.13/kg |
| Rwenzori AA | Fully washed, origin-graded | Rwenzori (Kasese, Bundibugyo) | US$13.34/kg |
Values are Uganda's reported export unit values for December 2025 (MAAIF export report, via VirginCoffee, February 2026) — historical reference points, not our prices. Arabica is priced against the New York (ICE) Arabica “C” contract plus or minus a differential, FOB Mombasa.
Grade pages: Bugisu AA and A · Drugar and Wugar.
Regions
Mount Elgon in the east is the classic washed-Arabica region: Bugisu on the lower and middle slopes, Sipi Falls and Kapchorwa higher up. Cherry is delivered to washing stations, pulped, fermented and dried on raised beds. Rwenzori in the west (Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kabarole) produces both washed lots and much of Uganda's natural Drugar, with two harvest windows a year. West Nile (Zombo, Nebbi) is a smaller, newer Arabica area with a similar two-season pattern. Regional guides: Mount Elgon, Bugisu and Sipi · Rwenzori.
Cup families
Bugisu is a classic washed East African cup: citric and sometimes winey acidity, medium-to-heavy body, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and a long finish in good lots. Rwenzori washed lots are fuller with darker fruit and a rounder acidity; Drugar is sweet, heavy and fruit-forward in the way natural coffees are, and is a reliable espresso component. Cup scores and descriptors on our lot pages come from cupping reports; where a lot has not been cupped yet, the site says so.
Harvest calendar
Mount Elgon harvests from October to February, with fresh-crop washed Bugisu available for shipment from about January. Rwenzori and West Nile have two windows — roughly March to June and October to December — so Uganda Arabica can be offered for much of the year. The month-by-month view is on the harvest calendar.
Samples
Evaluation samples of 300 g are sent by courier for cupping and green analysis. Specialty roasters buying pallet quantities often consolidate through an importer; we can ship FOB Mombasa for your importer or work with importer partners in your market.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bugisu coffee?
Bugisu is washed Arabica from the Bugisu sub-region on the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, graded AA, A, B and PB (peaberry) by screen size and defect count. It is Uganda's best-known Arabica and has been exported under the Bugisu name for decades.
What do Drugar and Wugar mean?
They are Uganda's grade names for Arabica processed outside the Bugisu scheme. Drugar is dry-processed (natural) Uganda Arabica; Wugar is washed Uganda Arabica. Both come mainly from the Rwenzori mountains and West Nile.
Is Uganda Arabica specialty grade?
Good lots are. Washed Bugisu and Rwenzori coffees from well-run washing stations regularly cup in the 84–87 range on the SCA scale; commercial lots cup lower. Specialty grade is a property of the lot, not the origin, which is why we publish scores only from cupping reports.
When is fresh-crop Uganda Arabica available?
Washed Bugisu from the October–February harvest is typically available for shipment from January. Rwenzori and West Nile lots arrive in two windows, following harvests in roughly March–June and October–December.
How is Uganda Arabica priced?
Against the New York (ICE) Arabica “C” futures contract plus or minus a differential, FOB Mombasa, for a stated shipment month. Specialty lots may be priced outright. We quote against your written specification and do not publish live prices.
Can I buy a pallet of Bugisu AA?
Yes. Pallet quantities are normal for specialty roasters, either consolidated by your importer FOB Mombasa or delivered through an importer partner in your market. Tell us the quantity and destination.