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Mt. Elgon Uganda: Lambano Group Coffee Project

What began as a small act of support has grown into a scalable model for localized economic transformation.

Cultivating More Than Coffee

In the lush highlands of Eastern Uganda, where the volcanic soils of Mt. Elgon cradle generations of coffee farming wisdom, the Lambano Group is cultivating more than just crops—they’re nurturing the future of their community.

Since 2021, Burners Without Borders Sacramento Region has proudly supported the Lambano Project, a locally led initiative based in Bududa, Uganda. Through grassroots collaboration, regenerative farming, and community empowerment, Lambano has become a vibrant example of what resilience in action looks like.

Led by Eric Semakula and Isaac “Mutali” Mundesi Jr., the Lambano Coffee Project addresses both declining coffee yields and the economic hardship faced by local farmers. Once known for producing some of the world’s finest Arabica coffee, the Bududa region had seen market prices drop and morale fall—until now.

Regeneration Through Coffee

The Lambano Coffee Project is rebuilding Bududa’s local economy from the ground up by focusing on two key strategies:

Demonstration Farms
These hands-on learning hubs equip farmers with regenerative techniques, organic supplies, and shared tools—empowering them to grow stronger, healthier coffee crops.
Community Coffee Pulping Machines
These manual machines allow farmers to pulp their coffee on-site, rather than sending it to distant mills. This means farmers now retain control over a critical stage of production, saving on transport costs, preserving bean quality, and negotiating better prices.

In 2022, the Lambano Project received a Civic Ignition Grant at the Burners Without Borders Multi-Regional Summit (MRS). This grant provided the critical funding for Lambano’s first coffee pulping machine.

A Milestone Year: 2025 Harvest Success

In early 2025, 500 coffee-farming families in Bududa completed their harvest—and for the first time, they were able to process it themselves.

The impact was extraordinary. By using the newly installed manual pulping machines, farmers bypassed external mills and sold their coffee at higher market rates. Their revenue increased tenfold compared to previous years—marking a transformational shift in the region’s economy.

“Now, we can process our own coffee—saving money, saving time, and keeping the value right here in Bududa.”
– Lambano Coffee Farmer

This leap forward was made possible through a collaborative network of support from:

Connected by Our Humanity
BWB Sacramento Region
Auburn Gold Country Rotary Club (Lambano Project Page)

Together, these partners co-sponsored the Lambano Project’s 2024 expansion, helping deliver new machines, training, and farmer-to-farmer mentorship just in time for the 2025 harvest.

🎥 Watch the Lambano Project in action