In the early 20th century, Arabica coffee was introduced to Western Uganda’s Rwenzori Highlands. Situated between 1,500 m and 2,000 m above sea level, the area’s consistent rainfall, moderate temperatures and volcanic soils proved ideal for Arabica cultivation — quickly establishing coffee as a principal source of income for local smallholders.
Until the 1990s, production remained limited in scale and known primarily to specialty-coffee traders. Beginning in the early 2000s, a global shift toward quality-focused sourcing elevated demand for origin-specific coffees. Rwenzori producers responded by standardising harvesting, processing and quality-control practices to meet specialty-market requirements.
In August 2022, nine cooperatives representing 46 farmer groups and more than 11,000 growers formed the Rwenzori Geographical Indications Association (RGIA). In collaboration with RGIA, NUCAFE, CIRAD, URSBB, UCDA and district authorities — a specification for the a geographical indication was developed for Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Coffee .
In 2023 “Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Coffee” was registered as Uganda’s first protected Geographical Indication (and the first in East Africa).
Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Coffee is characterized by a sweet, fruity aroma, chocolate flavor, smooth body, mild citric acidity, and dried fruit aftertaste. This Arabica coffee, of varieties SL 14 and SL 28, grows above 1200m ASL on the Rwenzori Mountain slopes, without chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. It must score 80+ points in cupping tests.
The region’s equatorial climate, with temperatures of 18-23°C and annual rainfall of 970-1600mm, supports natural coffee growth. The geographical area of Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Coffee GI covers areas above 1200 feet ASL in the districts of Kabalore, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, and Ntoroko.
