Uganda’s tea sector remains one of the country’s most important agricultural value chains, supporting livelihoods, exports and rural economies. Cultivated on approximately 49,000 hectares, tea contributes significantly to national export earnings, and provides income to millions of people. Smallholder farmers who produce nearly 70% of tea form the backbone of the sector. Yet, for many years, they have been grappling with persistent challenges, including price volatility, limited access to quality inputs and weak bargaining power.
Since 2022, the sector has been experiencing a gradual but meaningful transformation. There is growing recognition of the need for inclusivity, sustainability and stronger farmer representation. However, structural gaps, such as the delayed operationalization of a comprehensive national tea policy, have continued to hinder coordinated growth and equitable value distribution, often leaving the most vulnerable actors at a disadvantage.
Within this context, women, youth and other marginalised groups have remained central to the functioning of the tea sector, even if their contributions have not always been visible. Women, in particular, make up a large share of the labour force, engaging in activities ranging from plucking to post-harvest handling. Despite this, their participation in decision-making and access to income has historically been limited. However, this is beginning to change. Women are increasingly organising into groups and associations, stepping into leadership roles and exploring opportunities in value addition, including the production of specialty teas for higher-value markets.
Julian Nyabuhara, chairperson of Women in Tea Uganda shares that “For a long time, women were at the heart of tea production, yet their voices were missing where decisions were made. Today, that is changing. Women are no longer just labourers; they are leaders shaping the future of the sector.”
Youth engagement is also growing, driven by exposure to new business models and innovation platforms. At the same time, smallholder farmers and plantation workers are finding stronger collective voices through organised advocacy and participation in sector dialogue.
It is within this evolving landscape that Solidaridad, through the Reclaim Sustainability! Tea Project (2021–2025), has been working to build a more inclusive and sustainable tea sector in Uganda. The project has focused on strengthening civil society organisations, farmer associations and worker unions, while creating platforms that bring together government, private sector actors and communities to address systemic challenges.
A key pillar of the project has been its deliberate focus on gender equality and social inclusion. By supporting women and youth to organise, build their capacity and actively participate in decision-making processes, the initiative has helped shift the balance of power within the sector.
This has included the formation and strengthening of national associations, such as the National Association of Women in Tea Uganda, as well as the establishment of gender-focused structures to address barriers like gender-based violence and unequal access to opportunities.
From Farmer to National Leader: Julian Nyabuhara’s Story
At the heart of this transformation is the story of Julian Nyabuhara, a tea farmer from Bushenyi District and the National Chairperson of the Association of Women in Tea Uganda. Julian’s journey reflects both the challenges and the opportunities within Uganda’s tea sector.
For years, she worked as a farmer and supplier, navigating the realities of a fluctuating market. In recent years, falling green leaf prices significantly affected incomes across the value chain, impacting farmers, transporters and especially tea pluckers, many of whom are women. These challenges became a turning point.
Through her active engagement on sector issues, Julian connected with Solidaridad and its partners under the Reclaim Sustainability! Tea Project. This connection opened the door to a new chapter one defined by organisation, advocacy and leadership. Together with other women, she became part of a movement to formalize groups that could amplify the voices of marginalized actors in the tea sector.
This led to the formation and strengthening of key associations, including the National Association of Women in Tea Uganda. What started as a small farmer-led initiative has since grown into a recognised organisation, formally registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau. This milestone enabled the association to attract partnerships and support, including collaboration with organisations such as Women Win.
Through these partnerships, women were mobilised into savings groups, each comprising 30 to 60 members. These groups have become platforms for financial inclusion, environmental stewardship through tree planting and innovation in tea production. One of the most transformative interventions has been the introduction of specialty tea processing, an idea supported by Solidaridad through targeted training and capacity building.
Women have been equipped with skills to process, brand and market specialty teas, opening up new income streams. Today, the association exports specialty tea to several European markets, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. These efforts have already generated thousands of dollars in revenue, with proceeds reinvested into group activities and community development.
Women-Led Specialty Tea Enterprises Expanding into Europe
The National Association of Women in Tea Uganda, led by Julian, spearheaded the adoption of the specialty tea business model. Under the conventional tea model, most women depended on selling green leaf into the bulk tea value chain, where tea is commonly traded through the Mombasa auction for less than one US Dollar per kilogram.
The model has opened direct market relationships with European buyers including Simon Lévelt and Lateef in the Netherlands, creating reliable market commitments for women-led tea enterprises. This shift has dramatically improved income realization for women by enabling them to capture value beyond primary production and participate in higher-value stages of the tea business such as processing, branding, packaging and direct export trade.
Beyond increased incomes, the specialty tea model has strengthened women’s economic independence, confidence and leadership within the tea sector. Women farmers are now participating in business negotiations, export discussions and national policy conversations while also becoming role models within their communities. The success of the model demonstrates that value addition and direct market access can substantially increase returns for smallholder women farmers while positioning Uganda as an emerging supplier of premium specialty teas to European markets.
Impact Beyond Income
The impact of this journey extends beyond financial gains. Women involved in the association are now better able to support their families, including paying school fees for their children. There are also reports of improved wages among casual labourers and increased confidence among women to participate in leadership and decision-making spaces.
With support from Solidaridad, the association has further invested in its future by acquiring equipment for a specialty tea cottage factory, an initiative that is expected to expand production capacity and create more opportunities for women in the sector. Importantly, the group now has a physical space they can call their own, a symbol of both progress and permanence in Bushenyi District, Western Uganda.
“Today, we are not just producing tea, we are building businesses, supporting our families, and proving that women can compete in both local and international markets. Our story shows what is possible when women are given a voice and an opportunity.”
Grace Katuramu, Tooro Regional Coordinator of the Association
Equally significant is the role the association has played in advocacy. Women in tea actively contributed to the drafting of Uganda’s national tea policy, ensuring that gender perspectives and the voices of smallholder farmers were included. While the policy is yet to be fully operationalised, this participation marks a critical shift in representation.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Like many young organisations, the Association of Women in Tea Uganda continues to face financial constraints, particularly in meeting operational costs such as rent and coordination. There is also a need for continued capacity building in governance, organisational management and technical skills in specialty tea processing.
Julian and her team are clear about their vision for the future. They aim to establish a structured organisation with distinct arms for advocacy, business and financial services. Plans are also underway to create a financial fund that will support women in tea through existing savings groups, as well as to build a strong brand that can compete both locally and internationally.
A Sector Transformed by Voice and Collective Action
The progress seen today in Uganda’s tea sector is a testament to the power of collective action and inclusive programming. What was once a space where women’s contributions were largely invisible is now one where their voices are shaping conversations, influencing policy and driving innovation.
As Grace reflected, it is now impossible to talk about Uganda’s tea sector without recognising the role of women. This shift did not happen by chance; it is the result of deliberate investment, partnership and the determination of women like Julian Nyabuhara.
The Reclaim Sustainability! Tea Project has strengthened systems and organisations while helping to unlock the potential of individuals and communities to redefine their place in the tea value chain. By doing so, it has laid the foundation for a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for Uganda’s tea sector.