Uganda’s international footprint continues to grow with the launch of a second Endiro Coffee café in the United States, further boosting the country’s coffee exports, tourism appeal, and cultural visibility.
Opened at the end of last month in Anacortes, Washington, the new café is located inside the Majestic Inn & Spa at the corner of 5th Street and Commercial Avenue. The initiative was led by Cody Lorance, Uganda’s Trade Representative to North America and a co-founder of Endiro Coffee. This follows the successful establishment of Endiro’s first U.S. café in Illinois and adds to its existing 16 branches in Uganda and one in Kenya.
A Strategic Partnership with Local Impact
The new outlet represents a strategic partnership between Endiro and VIP Hospitality Group, which manages the Majestic Inn. What was once an underutilized hotel lounge has now been transformed into a vibrant café serving both hotel guests and residents.
“I’ve been here a week or so now, and secretly, I love this place, I love the fresh air,” said Lorance, who made a cross-country drive from Illinois with a truckload of roasted Ugandan coffee beans and café supplies.
Russ Olivier, Vice President of Operations at VIP Hospitality Group, described the collaboration as a perfect fit. “We decided an elevated coffee experience was something both locals and hotel guests would be interested in,” he said. “Featuring Endiro Coffee in both the café and hotel guest rooms was a win-win.”
Promoting Uganda, One Cup at a Time
More than just a coffee brand, Endiro has become a cultural ambassador, sharing the flavor and story of Uganda with each brew. The company sources its beans directly from Ugandan farmers, contributing to rural incomes while positioning Uganda’s premium Arabica and Robusta varieties on the global stage.
The café’s expansion into the U.S. comes at a time when Uganda is aggressively growing its coffee export footprint. Previously, Uganda signed a major trade agreement with Serbia, allowing Ugandan coffee to be sold across Serbia and neighboring Balkan countries. The agreement, championed by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), marked a significant breakthrough in non-traditional markets, expanding beyond Uganda’s historic reliance on Europe and the Middle East.
Uganda is now the largest coffee exporter in Africa and among the top 10 globally. Coffee remains its leading cash crop and foreign exchange earner, contributing significantly to household incomes in rural communities. With increasing focus on value addition, branding, and farmer empowerment, Uganda’s coffee narrative is transforming from bulk export to high-end experience, and Endiro Coffee is at the forefront of this shift.
The Anacortes opening is a symbol of Uganda’s broader ambition to become a global player in coffee culture, tourism, and trade. Endiro is telling a uniquely Ugandan story, one that blends entrepreneurship, diplomacy, and a deep love for community.
Uganda’s strategy to deepen its presence in North America through trade representatives and culturally-rooted businesses like Endiro is yielding tangible results. As Lorance put it, “We don’t just sell coffee. We build relationships. We share a piece of Uganda with every cup.”
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