Uganda, April 30 -- Coffee farmers in different parts of the country are all smiles following an upsurge in coffee prices.

Currently, the farm gate price of a kilogramme of Robusta coffee (FAQ or Kase) is Shs125,000, compared to Shs6,500 last year. The price is about the same for Arabica coffee.

The farmers from Rwenzori, Greater Masaka to Mt Elgon are excited by the high prices, which has motivated them to plant more coffee.

As a result, coffee nursery bed operators are having a field day.

Mr Joseph Nkandu, the executive director of the National Union of Coffee Agribusiness and Farm Enterprises (NUCAFE), says there is a rising global demand for coffee.

"More countries have now switched to drinking coffee, including highly populated ...