Java House has strengthened its commitment to local suppliers following the opening of its new restaurant in Naguru on February 3, reaffirming its strategy of sourcing the vast majority of its inputs from within Uganda.
The company, which operates 10 restaurants across the country alongside a central production unit where it bakes cakes and roasts coffee, says 97 per cent of the products it uses are locally produced.
“We are working with Ugandan agencies, Ugandan storytellers and Ugandan artists. We are committed to this market and to growing it, not only for the consumer, but across the entire value chain,” said Priscilla Gathungu, the CEO of Java House Uganda.
Gathungu said the Ugandan market is both discerning and responsive, offering direct feedback that helps the company refine its products and services.
“Ugandan consumers know what they want. They tell us where we have gotten it right and where we have gotten it wrong, and that direct feedback is one of the most exciting parts of this business,” she said.
Like many businesses, Java House faces operational challenges, but Gathungu noted that strong partnerships have enabled the company to navigate them successfully.
“What we have learned is that with strong partnerships, whether with suppliers or landlords, any challenge that comes our way can be overcome,” she said.
She described Uganda as the breadbasket of the region, highlighting the capacity of local suppliers to meet both demand and quality requirements.
“One hundred per cent of our produce, including chicken, is sourced from Uganda. Our suppliers are not only able to meet our volumes but also our quality standards,” Gathungu said.
She added that one of the coffees sold by Java House across the region in both Uganda and Kenya is Ugandan-grown and has been supplied consistently for close to eight years without disruption.
In response to changing consumer habits, Java House has also expanded into food delivery services, allowing customers to access its products more conveniently.
“We have an online portal and also work with delivery aggregators. A customer may stop by for coffee in the morning, order lunch later in the day, or buy bread and pastries for their family, we are able to serve them across multiple touchpoints,” she said.
Suppliers have welcomed the expansion, citing opportunities for business growth and job creation.
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