Passionate about coffee, dedicated to people.
Chariots Coffee & Barista Academy Limited was first registered in Uganda in 2018 as a Single Member Company (SMC) under the Directorship of Mr. Simon Ochen Eidodo. Driven by a profound passion for coffee and a vision for youth empowerment, Mr. Eidodo laid the foundation for what would become Uganda's premier coffee institution.
In 2024, the company evolved, acquiring a new status as a private limited company upon admitting Mr. Gilbert Etomet as a co-director. This strategic partnership brought a unique blend of technical expertise and logistical efficiency, significantly enhancing the Academy's infrastructure and operational capabilities.
Today, Chariots Coffee & Barista Academy stands as a comprehensive entity, seamlessly combining a specialty coffee Roastery, a vibrant café, and a professional barista training school. Our integrated business model is designed not just to deliver high-quality coffee products but also to directly impact lives.
Through our academy, we focus on training young people to become seasoned Coffee Baristas. In recent years, over 2000 young men and women have successfully passed through the Academy, now excelling as baristas and coffee professionals in various capacities across Uganda and beyond, spreading the rich coffee culture globally.
To provide high-quality coffee products to customers while offering professional barista training programs to aspiring coffee professionals. By integrating these three aspects of the coffee industry—roasting, café service, and education—we aim to create a unique and sustainable business model that caters for both coffee enthusiasts and industry professionals.
To be a leading provider of high-quality coffee products and professional Barista Training programs, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, creativity, and sustainability in the coffee industry. We aspire to be the benchmark for coffee education and product quality in East Africa and beyond.
We are unyielding in our dedication to producing exceptional coffee products, from bean selection to roasting and brewing. We also provide top-notch training programs that uphold the highest standards of professionalism and expertise.
We are deeply committed to ethical and environmentally friendly practices. We meticulously source our coffee beans directly from farmers who employ sustainable and fair trade practices, ensuring our products are not only delicious but also responsibly produced.
We firmly believe in the transformative power of education. Our academy is designed to empower individuals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel and innovate within the dynamic coffee industry.
We are passionate about building a supportive, inclusive, and vibrant community. This extends to our staff, students, farmers, and customers, fostering meaningful connections and shared growth within the coffee ecosystem.
Founder & CEO
Mr. Simon Ochen Eidodo began his journey in the coffee industry as an ordinary worker with Italian restaurants in Kampala, gaining over four years of invaluable experience. His innate talent and passion were soon recognized, leading him to train at the prestigious Uganda Coffee Development Barista Training Programme in 2010.
That same year, he participated in the Uganda National Barista Competition, emerging as a semi-finalist. His dedication saw him rise further, becoming the 2nd best Barista in the entire country in the subsequent year's competition. His crowning achievement came in 2018 when he was declared the National Barista Champion, solidifying his status as a leading figure in Uganda's coffee scene.
Though a qualified journalist, Mr. Eidodo's unwavering love for coffee led him to found Chariots Coffee & Barista Academy single-handedly in 2018. Today, his vision has blossomed, with the company proudly employing over 1000 young men and women in coffee-related fields, both directly and indirectly.
A true pioneer, Mr. Eidodo organized and hosted Uganda's first-ever Aero Press Championship in October 2022, attracting over 400 youth, 41 competitors, and more than 15 coffee company partnerships, making it the most successful brewing competition in the nation's history. In May 2025, he further demonstrated his leadership by organizing and chairing the Inspire Africa Barista Championship in Rwashamaire Ntungamo, western Uganda, a major event sponsored by Inspire Africa Group and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, drawing 79 competitors and over 1000 attendees.
Co-Founder & IT/Procurement Specialist
Mr. Etomet Gilbert is a dynamic and visionary entrepreneur whose passion for innovation, excellence, and empowering communities is central to his role at Chariots Coffee & Barista Academy Ltd. As Co-Founder, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and operational strength of the company.
With a robust professional background in Information Technology and Procurement, Mr. Gilbert brings a unique blend of technical expertise and logistical efficiency to the business. His proficiency in IT systems, digital operations, and supply chain management has significantly enhanced the Academy's infrastructure, optimized training platforms, and streamlined product delivery channels.
His entrepreneurial spirit is fueled by a desire to build sustainable businesses that not only generate profit but also actively create opportunities for youth and local communities, aligning perfectly with Chariots Coffee's broader mission.
We are proud to serve a diverse range of clients, from leading hotels and cafes to international schools and supermarkets, both locally and internationally.
And many more valued partners we are privileged to work with.
Chariots Coffees & Barista Academy