Gumutindo means ‘excellent quality’ in the local Lugisu language. Its aims are to mobilise people to support sustainable coffee businesses which improve quality of life while protecting the environment. Gumutindo recognises the important role women play in coffee and promotes fully-traceable ‘Women’s Coffee,’ the premiums from which are distributed to female members.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Mbale (Mount Elgon), Eastern Uganda
  • Altitude: 1400-2200m
  • Founded: 2003
  • Members: 9,902 in 17 primary cooperative societies, including 770 women
  • First traded with Twin: 1997
  • Coffee: Arabica
  • Type: Fairtrade, Organic & Womens Coffee
  • Quality: Top Quality Washed Arabica. Grades AA, Grade A, Grade b, Peaberry and C Grade
  • Harvest: September – March
  • Shipping: January – July
  • Production: 550 MT
  • Flavour profile: Lemon/Grapefruit Citrus acidity, good body,

Headline

  • Top quality East African fairtrade organic coffee producer selling coffee worldwide to discerning coffee buyers

Quality and processing

Gumutindo buys top quality dry parchment either from farmers, who pick and process the coffee on their farms, or from micro-washing stations, which have been established up the mountain. In this case, farmers deliver ripe cherry to the washing stations for processing. The parchment is milled and hand sorted at Gumutindo’s own dry mill in Mbale. The coffee is then prepared for shipment, the preshipment sample is sent to the buyer for approval. The coffee leaves Gumutindo in a sealed container for Mombasa from where it is shipped to their buyer.

Projects

Gutmutindo is a member of Twin’s Joint Marketing Initiative (JMI) and works closely with Twin on a number of projects, including a value chain partnership with the roasters Matthew Algie and Sainsbury’s to achieve triple certification and a climate change project with Peros and Compass Group through EATFAIR. Twin also works with Gumutindo on women’s empowerment projects.

Update on Gumutindo October 2016

Unfortunately, Gumutindo’s business has run into serious difficulties, resulting in it being unable to purchase and supply its farmer members coffee for the 2016/17 season. Gumutindo is working closely with Twin and other partners to seek a way forward. Gumutindo has many loyal farmer members and dedicated partners who wish to support this process. Further updates to follow.