In search of Ethical Coffee- Uganda

The search for ethical coffee begun in earnest on 31 March 2009, at the Headquarters of OTTIMO Cafe in Tottenham North London.

There were two sides in the "pot" so to say. The charity Let Them Help Themselves out of Poverty and OTTIMO

The charity works on various community projects in Uganda and relies heavily on the generosity of friends and volunteers, however this is not sustainable especially in the current economic environment.

On the other hand OTTIMO wanted to improve its Corporate Social Responsibility and had been frustrated with the existing models of helping African farmers.

It was therefore agreed that Charity would sell its expertise of working with communities in Uganda in particular to OTTIMO and that OTTIMO would share some of their profits with the charity to enable it to continue its work in Uganda, with specific emphasis on communities in the coffee growing regions

The next step was to travel to Uganda. It was agreed early on that this was a necessary step in the discussions. It would help us understand how the coffee industry in Uganda operates, enable us to meet the growers and establish a working relationship with them, as well as get a clear understanding on doing business in Uganda.

So it was that on 12 May we hit the road to Uganda in search of ethical coffee. In next blog I will write about the coffee trail, and post some photos from the trip

Going no where slowly

Travelling through country roads in Africa can throw up some surprises and here are some.




We were driving down a mountains road when we came across locals logging trees




the driver of the Oil tank lost control of the tank, luckily it was empty!

How do you pass your time at work

Well during my visit to Uganda I needed access to the internet and printer to prepare for a meeting
So I called into the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala Uganda, with a view to using their Business services. I was pleasantly surprised that they allowed me to do even if I was not a Resident.

I finished whatever I wanted to do I then waited in the lobby for my bill and whilst I waited I noticed this member of staff looking intently at the water fountain in the lobby.


Golf course Hotel Lobby

At first I was not sure what had fascinated him so, until he called out to a colleague who was mopping the floor of the lobby and pointed out the fish in the water fountain. His colleague told him that he had work to do and would take a look later. But he stayed put for what seemed like ages and even when he decided it was time to go he could tear himself away!



Is he really working?

As I started my working life in the hotel industry I found this rather surprising as in my day you could never stand around in the lobby in that manner even if your were part of what is called Front Office Staff! I got my phone camera out and I too discreetly took photos of him as I sat there not working!
Was he lucky that the Managers never saw him or did he give the impression that he was working?



He can't tear himself away

My kind of parking penalties and more motoring stories from Uganda

During my stay in Uganda I discovered that although there was no discipline amongst drivers they all respected parking restrictions in the city. As far as I could tell no one parked on a yellow line where there was one.

The system appears to be that you find a space to park, park your car for as long as you want. When you return, the Parking Attendant would have left you a ticket or two depending on the duration of your stay. If you have a prepaid voucher you then hand that over (which is a cheaper way to pay) or you pay cash based on the time you have spent in the space and not as a fine!

Me thinks they have this the right around. incredibly no one goes off without paying!!

I wonder who has the right of way here.. I wonder if those pedestrians will make it across!





In search of water.. not sure whether the driver can see through any of the mirrors





Well what can I say about Miss blondie here.. we had to wait on this mountain road for 30minutes whislt she decided whether to get out the way, she is cute though!