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How is African Uganda Coffee? Introduction to Uganda Coffee Bean Varieties

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange For more coffee bean information Please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account cafe_style ) FrontStreet Coffee - Uganda Coffee Introduction If Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica small-grain coffee, then Uganda is the homeland of Robusta beans. During the colonial era, under the encouragement of the British, Uganda began to widely cultivate Robusta low-altitude species, now

FrontStreet Coffee Uganda Coffee Introduction

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For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

FrontStreet Coffee - Uganda Coffee Introduction

If Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee, then Uganda is the homeland of Robusta. During the colonial era, with British encouragement, Uganda began widespread cultivation of Robusta species at low altitudes. Today, Uganda has become the world's second-largest Robusta exporter. 85% of coffee grown in Uganda is Robusta coffee.

Although primarily a Robusta-growing country, Uganda also produces specialty Arabica coffee, with Arabica cultivation history dating back a century. Today, most Arabica in the country is grown on the southeastern slopes of Mount Elgon at an altitude of 4,321 meters, with some also grown along the Uganda-Kenya border. Coffee grows alongside other plants like bananas and peanuts in a mixed agricultural model, where tall fruit trees provide shade for the coffee, ensuring coffee production.

The SL28 Variety

SL28 is one of Africa's most famous and popular varieties. Therefore, it spread from its original selection and promotion in Kenya to other parts of Africa (particularly common in Uganda's Arabica coffee-growing regions) and has now spread to Latin America. At the 2017 World Barista Championship (WBC), an SL28 from El Salvador shone brightly, defeating many Geisha varieties and ultimately helping British barista Dale Harris successfully win the world championship.

History and Characteristics of SL28

SL28 was first selected and cultivated in 1935 from a single tree among drought-resistant varieties from Tanganyika. According to historical records, in 1931, coffee breeders at Scott Laboratories, AD Trench, during an inspection tour of Tanganyika (now Tanzania), discovered a variety in the Moduli region that appeared to tolerate drought and pests, so they collected seeds and brought them back to Scott Laboratories. After verifying its drought resistance, it was widely cultivated until replaced by its descendant SL28.

SL28 is suitable for medium to high altitude areas and is resistant to drought, but susceptible to common coffee diseases. SL28 is known for its hardiness—meaning it can remain untended for years or even decades while still maintaining fruit production capabilities. Many places in Kenya grow SL28, with some trees being 60-80 years old but still capable of bearing fruit.

About FrontStreet Coffee

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a specialty coffee research house that enjoys sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three discounted coffee events each month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible prices. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!