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Things you didn’t know about Mbula Musao and Rugaya Richard

Coffee Award Winners

Mbula Musao and Rugaya Richard are coffee producing celebrities in the East African Community (EAC) region.

Utake Coffee

The driving force behind Utake Coffee based in Kenya, Mbula Musao’s company won awards at the Kenya Beverage Excellence Awards 2024 held in November 2024, in the following categories:

  • Most Preferred Coffee Beans
  • Coffee Brand of the Year
  • Recipient of a Sustainability Award

“The MARKUP program has been supportive in our journey to sustainability. Through their programs, we have had professional and consistent guidance. It is a privilege to be part of such an amazing program that goes deep into the matters that affect companies like ours and walks the journey to sustainability with us,” she said after the victory.

Gorilla Highlands Company

And Rugaya Richard too, has plenty of reasons to smile. He is the founder of Gorilla Highlands Company and clinched awards in October at the 24th EAC MSME Trade Fair in Juba, South Sudan.

“Allow me to thank you for giving GHC a platform to show case our enterprise's products that MARKUP program has helped  grow. Giving us the chance of participating in training workshops, participating in trade shows and networking events helps us to learn from other peers in the same industry and to grow our business. Gorilla highlands coffee was voted by judges from all East Africa countries as the Best Exhibitor from Uganda    and a mention as Best East African SME on value addition. Our win tells it all how MARKUP I and II have helped create an impact in promoting SMES in the region access markets,” Rugaya said.