Rwenzori Mountains

Our special edition Wrenzori mountain gift set combines two unique farms, in 2 different countries, but both from the same mountain.

The wrenzori Mountain range is divided in half by bordering countries Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These two countries have a volatile history that unfortunately still resonates today in the DRc, with the eastern regions continued rebel attacks since the peace agreement was signed in 2002. Both these coffees have a positive and powerful story that represents a change for good in this region for the coming future, and so inspired us to create this unique set that celebrates and promotes a better future for this part of Africa.

In July 2016, Coopade created the Kirindera Women’s Peace Coffee Section with the objective of allowing women coffee farmers to control and develop their own coffee production through the whole chain from production through to export. As the women in DR Congo already do the largest proportion of the work the coffee farms, including harvest, this has meant focusing on the delivery of the coffee cherries to the washing station, and then managing the actual washing and drying of the parchment coffee.

The Women’s Section have built a total of seven of the fifteen Coopade washing stations to date, of which Kirindera was one of the first. These washing stations are entirely managed by the Women’s Section. The Kirindera women are employing young people and providing them with an alternative to joining the armed groups that are destabilising the region.

Kisinga is a coffee station in the Rwenzori mountains that we visited last year in order to source some of the best Arabica that Uganda has to offer. This premium natural captivated us with its amazing fruity sweet and boozy notes, creating a unique natural process coffee that we felt best represented the sensory experience of visiting this area.

The Rwenzoris, famously known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ range to the east and west, inhabited by farmers from the Bakonzo tribe. They stretch for 120km along the Western Uganda border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The high altitude, fertile soils and plentiful rainfall provide perfect conditions for Arabica beans.

Agri Evolve, the parent company of the Rwenzori Coffee Co. is dedicated to training farmers in the latest developments in agronomy - 'farming for a better future', as is stated in their motto.