Uganda’s coffee fraternity is mourning the passing of Dr. Emmanuel Lyamulemye (also known as Iyamulemye), the former Executive Director of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), who died Tuesday morning after a short illness.
Dr. Lyamulemye, who served as UCDA’s Managing Director from 2016 to 2023, is widely regarded as the architect of Uganda’s modern coffee revolution and a key pillar in designing the National Coffee Roadmap — the strategic blueprint that catapulted the country’s coffee production and exports to record levels.
During his tenure, Uganda experienced exponential growth in coffee volumes, with exports reaching as high as 6.4 million bags in some years. His leadership was marked by ambitious initiatives to enhance coffee quality, farmer productivity, market access, and international branding.
“Dr. Lyamulemye was a pillar of Uganda’s coffee sector and played a key leadership role in the design and implementation of Uganda’s coffee roadmap,” said senior government officials in a statement. “He strengthened coffee quality standards, expanded farmer extension services, and boldly defended African coffees on the global stage.”
A Scholar & Strategist
Dr. Lyamulemye held a PhD in Agricultural Sciences and a Master of Science in Crop Science from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, along with an MBA from Uganda Martyrs University. His career blended scientific expertise with strategic leadership, making him a leading voice in both domestic agriculture and international coffee policy.
Before his appointment at UCDA, Dr. Lyamulemye worked under the Ministry of Agriculture as Program Coordinator for EU-funded livelihood programs in Northern Uganda and Karamoja. His work opened farming opportunities for thousands of households in post-conflict regions.
Champion for African Coffee
In international fora, Dr. Lyamulemye was known for his firm stance on Africa’s rightful place in the global coffee value chain. He consistently advocated for fair classification of Uganda’s Robusta and Ethiopia’s Arabica coffees, challenging industry stereotypes that placed African coffees in lower grades.
Under his guidance, Uganda not only expanded into traditional markets in Europe and the U.S. but also broke ground in Asia — particularly China — earning visibility and recognition for the country as a competitive coffee origin.
Legacy of Transformation
Dr. Lyamulemye’s tenure saw the rollout of a National Coffee Traceability System, development of regional labs for quality control, and promotion of domestic coffee consumption among youth and urban communities. He led UCDA’s institutional reforms, improving transparency, farmer registration, and extension networks.
In 2022, he oversaw the establishment of a state-of-the-art coffee laboratory in Gulu City, signaling a move toward decentralization and inclusivity in value addition.
