Women in Tea Uganda, Growing More Than Tea

Every remarkable cup of tea begins with people.

Long before the water is heated and the leaves begin to unfurl, someone has carefully nurtured the soil, tended the tea bushes and harvested each delicate leaf by hand. Around the world, this work is often carried out by women. Yet for generations, many of these women remained largely invisible, despite being the backbone of the tea industry.

High in the green hills of western Uganda, a remarkable movement is changing that story.

Tea Kulture believes that exceptional tea should nourish not only the person who drinks it, but also the communities that make it possible. That is why we are proud to work with Women in Tea Uganda, an inspiring organisation that is giving women a stronger voice while producing some of Uganda's finest specialty teas.

Uganda, A Hidden Gem for Exceptional Tea

When people think of tea, countries like China, Japan or India usually come to mind. Yet Uganda has quietly become one of Africa's most important tea-producing countries.

The fertile volcanic soils around Fort Portal, the lower slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains, and the forests surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park create exceptional growing conditions. Cool nights, abundant rainfall and rich biodiversity allow tea plants to develop slowly, producing leaves full of flavour and character.

Tea was first introduced to Uganda by the British in the early twentieth century. After decades of growth, the industry suffered greatly during the political turmoil of the 1970s, when many plantations were abandoned. Since then, Uganda has steadily rebuilt its tea sector and today ranks among Africa's largest tea producers.

Much of this tea, however, still disappears into anonymous supermarket blends.

Women in Tea Uganda is helping to change that.

When Women Found Their Voice

For generations, women have carried out much of the work in Uganda's tea fields.

They plant the bushes. They harvest the leaves. They care for the family plots. Yet they have often had little influence over how their tea was processed, marketed or valued.

In 2023, more than 1,200 women from 26 districts came together to create Women in Tea Uganda, the country's first national association dedicated entirely to women working throughout the tea value chain.

Led by Julian Nyabuhara, the organisation brings together female tea growers, processors and entrepreneurs with one shared ambition:

To ensure that women are recognised not only as tea pickers, but as tea makers, innovators and business owners.

Together they share knowledge, develop new skills and create opportunities that would have been difficult to achieve individually.

From Commodity Tea to Specialty Tea

Uganda produces tens of thousands of tonnes of tea every year.

Most of it is processed using the CTC method (Cut, Tear, Curl), creating strong black teas that are sold through the Mombasa Tea Auction and blended into tea bags around the world.

While this system produces large volumes, it rarely rewards exceptional craftsmanship or allows farmers to express the unique character of their terroir.

Women in Tea Uganda is helping its members take a different path.

Instead of focusing only on volume, they are learning the art of specialty tea. Carefully selecting the youngest leaves, processing them with precision and creating teas that proudly carry their own identity and origin.

Rather than disappearing into anonymous blends, these teas tell the story of the people and landscapes behind every harvest.

Soft Pearl, A Symbol of New Beginnings

One of the organisation's first specialty teas is Soft Pearl, a delicate white tea that perfectly reflects this new direction.

Before sunrise, only the youngest buds are carefully hand-picked while still covered with morning dew. They are then slowly dried in both sun and shade to preserve their delicate floral aromas and natural sweetness.

Soft Pearl is much more than an elegant tea.

It symbolises a new chapter in which women become recognised for their craftsmanship and are able to create greater value from their own harvest.

Knowledge Creates Lasting Change

Exceptional tea is not created by chance.

It requires knowledge, patience and continual learning.

Members of Women in Tea Uganda receive training in tea processing, quality control, sensory evaluation, entrepreneurship and export.

The organisation works together with partners including the International Tea & Coffee Academy, the Tea Growers Academy in the Netherlands, Solidaridad East & Central Africa, TrustAfrica, Women Win, and Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture.

By investing in education, these women are building something that reaches far beyond tea itself.

They are creating confidence. Independence. And long-term opportunity for future generations.

More Than an Income

The impact of Women in Tea Uganda extends well beyond the tea gardens.

Steady employment and improved incomes allow families to invest in education, healthcare and better living conditions.

Women gain greater financial independence and a stronger voice within their communities.

Young girls see new possibilities for their future.

Tea becomes a catalyst for social change.

At Farmatuur, we believe that true wellbeing is never only personal. Healthy people, thriving communities and healthy ecosystems are deeply connected.

Women in Tea Uganda beautifully demonstrates that principle.

Tea Grown in One of Africa's Most Beautiful Landscapes

The tea gardens of western Uganda are surrounded by one of the world's richest natural environments.

The nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, while the volcanic soils of the Albertine Rift support extraordinary biodiversity.

The same landscapes that nurture these remarkable ecosystems also shape the character of Uganda's finest teas.

Every cup reflects the rhythm of the mountains, the richness of the soil and the hands that carefully harvested each leaf.

For us, that connection between people and nature is what makes specialty tea so meaningful.

The amazing Gorilla White

At Farmatuur we are honoured that our partnership with Tea Kulture allows us to offer this amazing teas created by Women in Tea Uganda:

Gorilla White is a rare white tea from the Kisoro region, where only the youngest buds are hand-picked at 1,600 metres above sea level. The infusion is delicate, floral and naturally sweet.

This tea carries not only the unique terroir of Uganda but also the dedication of the women who crafted it.