Sironko

Over the past few years there has been a real jump in the quality of coffees coming out of Uganda. More importing channels opened up, more producers started experimenting, and the overall level kept rising. That is how I ended up working with Sironko. It felt like a coffee that could be expressive and a bit wild, but still approachable for a wide range of people. What stood out right away was the mix of a heavy chocolate body with a funky, fruity edge. It is the kind of coffee you can drink every day without getting tired of it, which is proven by the number of customers who choose it as their standard subscription coffee, and by the bars that use it as their house coffee. It has been great to have something in the lineup that is both stable and reliable, while still offering a bit of character. Sironko is a good example of how far Ugandan coffee has come in a short time, and why it is worth paying attention to.

Sironko is grown in the Rwenzori region of Uganda, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,000 meters above sea level. The Rwenzori mountains create a naturally fertile growing environment, with rich volcanic soil, reliable rainfall, and cool temperatures that slow cherry development and build complexity in the cup. Around 200 smallholder farmers contribute to this lot, growing SL14 and SL28 varieties, two cultivars originally developed in Kenya that have since become well established across East Africa.

AgriEvolve, a Ugandan export company, works directly with these farmers and manages the full export process. They coordinate cherry collection from local centers, transport to the Nyabirongo processing facility, and quality control at every stage. Coffee is batched by altitude and location, keeping traceability intact from farm to bag.

Their work goes beyond the supply chain. AgriEvolve runs agricultural training programs, supports farmers with access to better tools, and invests in community infrastructure including clean water access and education. It is the kind of operation that takes the long view, and that shows in the consistency of what ends up in the cup. Shokunin sources this coffee through European importer The Coffee Quest.