David Wamai, the Executive Director of the National Physical Planning Board under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development
By IP Reporter
MANAFWA, Uganda
David Wamai, the Executive Director of the National Physical Planning Board under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, is leading renewed efforts to transform rural livelihoods in eastern Uganda by championing organic coffee farming and cooperative financing.
Wamai, who also chairs BUTA SACCO, has been mobilizing farmers across Manafwa District and the wider Bugisu sub-region to embrace sustainable, intensive coffee production as a pathway to economic recovery.
Coffee’s Role in Local Economies
Coffee remains one of Uganda’s most important cash crops and a backbone of household income in the Mount Elgon region.
In districts like Manafwa, it supports school fees, housing, and daily livelihoods, making it a critical driver of rural development.
Wamai says improving both the quality and quantity of coffee is essential if farmers are to earn better returns in increasingly competitive markets.
Why Organic Manure Matters
Central to his campaign is the use of compost (organic manure), made from crop residues, animal waste, and other biodegradable materials.
Agricultural experts note that:
Organic manure improves soil structure, allowing roots to develop better.
It enhances nutrient availability, leading to healthier coffee trees
It increases moisture retention, crucial in changing weather patterns
It contributes to better bean development, improving aroma, size and overall cup quality
Better soil health directly translates into higher-grade coffee, which attracts premium prices on both local and international markets.
Lessons From the Past: Bugisu’s Coffee Boom
Wamai’s push draws heavily from history. During the 1960s and 1970s, coffee farming turned the Bugisu sub-region into one of Uganda’s most prosperous rural economies.
At the time:
Coffee was the primary source of household income
Cooperative unions were strong and well-organized
Farmers could afford education, permanent homes and improved standards of living
The region gained a reputation for producing high-quality Arabica coffee on the fertile slopes of Mount Elgon.
However, the sector later declined due to factors such as:
Collapse of cooperative unions
Price volatility
Soil degradation from poor farming practices
Fragmentation of land and reduced productivity
Why Wamai Is Pushing a Revival
Wamai says the region can reclaim its former economic strength by returning to intensive, well-managed coffee farming supported by SACCOs.
His approach focuses on:
Reintroducing discipline in farming practices
Promoting organic, low-cost inputs
Strengthening farmer groups and cooperatives
Linking farmers to better markets and financing
Through BUTA SACCO, farmers are encouraged to save, access credit and invest back into their farms—creating a cycle of productivity and income growth.
“Coffee built this region before, and it can do so again if farmers adopt the right practices,” Wamai has told local growers.
With global demand for organic products rising, leaders in Manafwa District believe the combination of organic manure use, improved farming methods and cooperative support systems could mark a turning point.
For Wamai, the goal is clear: restore coffee as the economic backbone of Bugisu—this time on a more sustainable and resilient foundation.
