Kampala, Uganda – Java House, East Africa’s largest casual dining chain, has officially opened its 10th branch in Uganda, signaling a deepening of its investment in one of the region’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
The opening of the Shell Naguru outlet brings the company’s total African footprint to 104 locations. The move comes as the hospitality sector in East Africa increasingly pivots toward localized supply chains and independent delivery infrastructure to hedge against rising operational costs.
A model for local employment
Speaking at the launch in Kampala, Java House CEO Priscilla Gathungu emphasized the brand’s role as an engine for youth employment. In a country where youth unemployment remains a critical policy challenge, Gathungu noted that each new branch integrates between 30 and 40 young Ugandans into the formal workforce.
“We employ right after high school and no degree or training is needed as we do our own upskilling,” Gathungu told attendees. “People who started out as dishwashers are now managers of restaurants. This means opportunities come with every new restaurant that we open.”
The company’s “upskilling” model is part of a broader trend among regional multinationals to develop human capital internally, reducing reliance on expatriate management and creating a sustainable pipeline of local talent.
Strengthening the value chain
Beyond direct employment, Java House is positioning itself as a cornerstone of the “Buy Uganda, Build Uganda” (BUBU) initiative. The company reported that 97 percent of its raw materials—including coffee, flour, poultry, and produce—are sourced from local farmers and manufacturers.
For local suppliers, the expansion offers a stable off-take agreement in a volatile market. Churchill Ododa, national sales manager for Biyinzika Poultry International, noted that the growth of such restaurant chains is vital for the stability of the agricultural value chain.
“This is good for everyone,” Ododa said. “For the nation it provides employment opportunities, but for suppliers like us, it means business increases.”
Cutting out the middleman
In a significant tactical shift, Java House also used the Naguru launch to debut its in-house delivery service. By utilizing a proprietary online portal and a centralized call center, the brand aims to bypass third-party delivery platforms that often command high commission fees.
Eusila Jepleting, Java House Uganda Country Manager, said the Naguru site was strategically selected to optimize this logistical push, with target delivery times set between 30 and 45 minutes.
The move mirrors global trends where established food brands are reclaiming control over their data and customer experience by building independent logistics networks.
Founded in 1999 in Nairobi, Java House has evolved over nearly three decades from a single specialty coffee shop into a regional powerhouse. With presence in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, the brand continues to leverage its “coffee-led” identity to capture the rising middle-class spend across the East African Community.
