Gumutindo Co-operative Coffee Enterprise

“The Gumutindo Fairtrade coffee co-operative in Uganda has been a catalyst for reviving the proud tradition of co-operation in Mount Elgon. Fairtrade has meant prices fit for their high quality East African coffee”

Willington Wamayeye, project coordinator.

In 1998 The Gumutindo Coffee Enterprise was established between Twin and the Bugisu Co-operative Union (BCU – Twins initial trading partner on Mt Elgon). Its goal was to ensure a reliable supply of high quality coffee, whilst securing long term returns to farmers.

Gumutindo now consists of six primary co-operative societies on the lower slopes of Mt Elgon, having a membership of 2500 farmers. This last season has brought about some fantastic achievements for Gumutindo.

They have moved from their cramped, rented accommodation where they had been since 1998, to their first real home in Mwanyi Road, Mbale, Uganda. ‘Mwanyi’ being an appropriate address as it means coffee in Lugisu, the local language.

Preserving Tradition

The Gumutindo farmers use traditional methods to get the best results. The soil is kept rich and productive through mulching and natural fertilisers. The farmers and their family pick coffee cherries using a hand-operated pulping machine on their coffee farm or shamba. The cherries are only when they are red-ripe.

The pulped coffee is left in a container to ferment for a day to remove the sugary remains of the fruit. It is washed in lots of clean water, then dried on raised stands, to ensure good ventilation and even drying.

Great care is taken to protect the coffee from the strongest sunlight. Only the best dry parchment is selected for purchase by the project co-ordinator Willington Wamayeye.

Guaranteed prices and advance payments support this sustainable economic alternative. As traditional trading arrangements can mean that coffee can change hands up to five times between farmer and port, with every intermediary dealer taking their own cut of the profits. 

Fairtrade Benefits

Aside from reinvesting in training and the infrastructure for farming and the co-operative, Fairtrade premiums have been used to: extend the medical clinic, repair access roads to the fields and in repairing the local school.

What Type of Coffee

A good balance of acidity and body, and a fruity flavour. Gumutindo is also used in our fabulous Mountain blend.