Uganda – Sironko Washing Station RFA

Located at 1,250 meters above sea level, the Sironko Coffee Washing Station processes cherries from farms as high as 1,850 meters on the slopes of Mt. Elgon. This extinct volcano, one of Africa’s oldest, spans the Uganda-Kenya border and supports thousands of smallholder farmers cultivating Arabica coffee between 1,200 and 2,200 meters. The region’s rich volcanic soil, abundant rainfall, high altitude, and steady sunshine create ideal conditions for exceptional coffee quality.

At Sironko, only selectively hand-picked cherries are accepted and sorted through flotation, which separates them into three grades based on density. The highest-quality cherries are depulped, demucilaged, and dried using a controlled mechanical process. Farmers are trained to compost discarded pulp, while treated wastewater is repurposed for local agriculture. A structured drying system removes excess moisture in a seven-hour pre-drying phase before continuing for 21 to 48 hours until the coffee reaches an optimal 12% moisture content, ensuring consistency and preserving cup quality.