HatHats Coffee Company Uganda Limited has launched the HatHats Hospitality and Barista Academy, a new initiative aimed at equipping young Ugandans with barista and hospitality skills to support the country's growing tourism and coffee sectors.
The academy was launched on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the era92 grounds in Kampala, with British High Commissioner to Uganda Lisa Chesney as the guest of honour.
The first cohort comprises more than 20 young people from communities in Kampala who have undergone intensive training conducted by professional baristas from HatHats in the United Kingdom.
The graduates will receive certificates recognising their skills in coffee preparation and hospitality, with the organisers saying the training is intended to improve their employment prospects as Uganda's tourism and hospitality industries expand.
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Uganda is one of the world's coffee-producing countries, but domestic consumption remains relatively low. HatHats Uganda says its goal is to encourage a stronger coffee culture locally while creating employment opportunities for young people within the coffee and hospitality value chain.
Louis Hurst, founder of HatHats Coffee Company in the UK and co-founder of HatHats Coffee Company Uganda Limited, said the academy was intended to give young people practical skills and opportunities within the growing sector.
"I have been coming to Uganda for more than fifteen years, and every visit I'm struck by the same thing. This country grows wonderful coffee, then drinks almost none of it," Hurst said.
"We want young Ugandans to be the ones making it, serving it and telling its story to the visitors who are arriving in growing numbers, as well as in their own communities."
Hurst said the initiative was built around providing skills that can translate into employment and entrepreneurship.
"Our Foundation has always worked on one simple idea, a hand up and not a handout. The Academy is exactly that. Real skills, a real certificate and a route into an industry that is going places," he said.
He added that the first group had been trained by baristas who travelled from Kent in the UK.
"Our baristas came from Kent to train this first group, and honestly, I think they learned as much as they taught," Hurst said.
The academy has been developed by HatHats Coffee Uganda Limited and the HatHats Foundation in partnership with era92 Group, with support from the British High Commission and the British Chamber of Commerce Uganda.
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Chesney said the initiative demonstrated the potential of UK-Uganda partnerships to create opportunities for young people while supporting Uganda's coffee industry.
"I first met HatHats through the British Chamber of Commerce Uganda and it has been a pleasure following their journey so far," Chesney said.
"The HatHats Barista and Hospitality Training Academy is a wonderful example of UK-Uganda partnership in action, investing in young people, creating opportunities and helping unlock the full potential of Uganda's world-class coffee sector."
She said the practical skills provided through the academy could open opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship.
"By equipping young Ugandans with practical hospitality and barista skills, this academy is opening doors to employment, entrepreneurship and future leadership," Chesney said.
The academy forms part of HatHats Uganda's wider plans, which are focused on education, innovation and promoting Uganda's coffee story.
The company plans to establish coffee outlets in different parts of the country alongside coffee experiences targeting tourists. It says graduates of the academy will form part of the workforce for the planned outlets.
Hurst said the launch marked the beginning of the company's plans to expand its presence in Uganda.
"Monday is the start. We will open coffee experiences for tourists, outlets across Uganda and new ways of serving coffee. Every one of those needs people, and we want them to be graduates of this Academy," he said.
