Dr. Godfrey Sseremba, the Head of Breeding at NaCORI, inspecting coffee trees at the institute

New High-Yielding Coffee Varieties Poised to Transform Uganda’s Coffee Sector

The National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI) is spearheading research projects aimed at developing new, high-yielding coffee varieties to ensure sustainable coffee production in Uganda.

In an interview, Dr. Godfrey Sseremba, the Head of Breeding at NaCORI, revealed that the institute is currently testing grafted coffee materials and other promising varieties that demonstrate “very high yield potential compared to the current KRs.”​​

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“There are two sets of experiments: the grafted materials compared with the existing KRs, and new materials that could outperform the current KRs. This research is already at an advanced stage. We also have other materials at different stages of development, and soon farmers will have access to highly performing varieties,” Dr. Sseremba explained.

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He noted that Uganda is blessed with a wide diversity of coffee species, which supports the institute to develop varieties that address farmers’ challenges across the value chain. “With support from the Government and development partners, especially the European Union, we have characterized over 3,000 types of Robusta coffee in relation to yield potential, red blister, and Black Coffee Twig Borer,” he said. “Currently, we have about 48 potential varieties under evaluation. This research is still at the institute level, but we are multiplying the materials for field testing across different zones. This process will take about six years.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Sseremba said NaCORI’s focus is on yield and sustainability. “We need varieties that perform well under both abundant and limited rainfall because not many farmers can afford irrigation,” he said. “Even those who want to irrigate are often limited by water sources. To meet Uganda’s goal of producing 20 million 60kg bags of coffee by 2030, we must expand into areas once considered unsuitable for coffee production due to prolonged dry spells.”

He explained that the current commercial varieties, KR1–10, were developed mainly to combat Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) rather than drought. “The varieties behave differently in drought-prone areas. Only a few have shown some tolerance, yet farmers need multiple clones for a productive plantation,” he noted. NaCORI’s breeding program, he added, is implementing strategies to enhance drought adaptation.

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Grafted materials

To address drought in the short term, NaCORI is promoting grafting—using Liberica (locally known as Kisanasa) as rootstock and the commercial KR varieties as scions. “Liberica has deep roots, making it more resilient,” Dr. Sseremba said. “We are testing grafted plants in drought-prone areas like Nakaseke, Sembabule, and Ntungamo. The results so far are encouraging—grafted trees show stronger stems and greater vigor, which indicate resilience. Preliminary data suggests that grafted KR10 trees are healthier during dry seasons compared with the non-grafted ones.”

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He added that although the grafted plants have only started producing, NaCORI is confident about their success, citing global precedents in countries like Vietnam. NaCORI initially released Coffee Wilt Disease-resistant Kituza Robusta (KR) varieties in 2007 after old clones began succumbing to the disease. “Before recommending grafting to farmers, we must validate it thoroughly since it also comes with agronomic challenges,” he cautioned. “The graft union eventually disappears, and farmers must manage suckers carefully to ensure the upper part remains the commercial variety.”

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Trials have since been expanded to Lira, Nwoya, and Nakasongola—also drought-prone districts. “Coffee has production cycles, and we’ve only evaluated one. More cycles will give us conclusive results,” Dr. Sseremba said. “We also encourage farmers involved in the trials to share observations, especially during dry spells.”

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Explaining why Liberica is preferred for grafting than elite seedlings, he said: “Liberica is resistant to Coffee Wilt Disease, so it doesn’t pose a threat to the sector. Using elite varieties as rootstocks would require additional screening protocols to identify wilt-resistant lines. Such work can only be done under controlled conditions at NaCORI or other NARO institutes to prevent accidental spread of pathogens; if we inoculate this wilt pathogen at your farm, it might escape and attack fields that still have elite coffee trees.”

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Dr. Sseremba noted that Uganda’s coffee sector still heavily depends on elite coffee varieties. NaCORI plans to conduct mass screening to eliminate seedlings susceptible to Coffee Wilt Disease. “By the time you see a Robusta seedling, it’s already a hybrid because Robusta doesn’t self-pollinate,” he said. “However, many farmers wrongly assume that seeds from KR trees will also be resistant.

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There’s no guarantee because pollen sources are unknown and could come from susceptible plants.”

He emphasized that only research institutions can apply disease-elimination protocols effectively. “Even when pollen comes from a resistant plant, recessive genes may still exist. That’s why seed screening and disease control must be done at research facilities like NaCORI to ensure safe and reliable planting materials,” he said.