On the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, Arabica coffee grows at altitudes of 1,500–2,300 metres above sea level. For the Bushika Integrated Area Cooperative Enterprise (BIACE), the challenge is not only to produce quality coffee, but also to create greater value for the farmers who grow it.
BIACE is a farmer-owned cooperative based in Bududa District, bringing together smallholder farmers through a network of primary cooperatives. Its work focuses on improving coffee production, strengthening collective marketing and opening doors to higher-value markets.
Building value from farm to buyer
The cooperative’s commitment to quality is reflected in its approach to processing and marketing. BIACE works with Arabica varieties including SL14, SL28 and Nyasaland, and processes coffee for export. Its approach combines quality improvement with traceability, helping connect coffee from farmers’ fields to buyers.
For the 2 December 2026 Beyco Uganda Coffee Auction, BIACE is presenting Bududa Slopes Natural, a naturally processed Arabica lot grown on Mount Elgon’s volcanic soils. The auction profile describes a cup with citrus and red berry notes, a bold, juicy body and a balanced finish. Grown at high altitude and prepared using a parabolic drier, the lot offers buyers a taste of the region’s coffee and an opportunity to discover BIACE as a sourcing partner.
Coffee, trees and diversified livelihoods
Coffee is central to BIACE’s work, but it is part of a broader vision for rural livelihoods. The cooperative and its farmers have planted more than two million trees, supporting agroforestry and environmental conservation around Mount Elgon. BIACE also promotes beekeeping and organic honey production, alongside dairy and banana wine enterprises, to diversify income beyond coffee.
These activities reflect a practical approach to resilience: strengthening coffee production while supporting other enterprises that can contribute to household incomes and local economic opportunities.
Connecting producers with new markets
Through the Beyco auction, BIACE can showcase a specific coffee lot to international buyers and explore new commercial relationships. For buyers, it is an opportunity to discover coffee from Mount Elgon while learning more about the cooperative and the farmers behind it.
The auction is more than a chance to taste a new coffee. It is a step towards connecting producer organizations with buyers who value quality, traceability and the people and landscapes behind each lot.
