Women In Tea
Women in Tea
High in the green hills of Uganda, around Fort Portal and along the misty edges of the Bwindi forest, tea has been part of daily life for generations. Women are at the heart of this work. They rise early to pluck the tender leaves, care for the family plots, and carry baskets filled with fresh harvests. Yet despite their effort, they have little say in what happens next: how their tea is processed, or the price it will bring.
In 2023, over a thousand women chose to change that story. Together they created Women in Tea Uganda: a national association built to strengthen their voices in the tea sector and to show the world that Uganda has a place in specialty tea.
A national movement
Women in Tea was officially launched in March 2023, when Julian Nyabuhara was elected chairman. From that day, the network grew fast. More than 1,200 women across 26 districts now stand side by side, united by the same vision.
Their goal is simple but powerful: to connect, to learn from each other, and to gain influence in a sector long dominated by others. Together they can access training, reach new markets, and defend their interests in ways that were impossible alone.
From bulk to specialty tea
Uganda is one of Africa’s major tea producers, turning out tens of thousands of tons each year. Almost all of it is black CTC tea, sold at the auction in Mombasa, where it vanishes into anonymous blends.
For the small farmers and pluckers who do the work, this bulk system leaves little reward. Women in Tea Uganda wants to open another path: producing their own specialty teas. By focusing on quality, flavour, and origin, they can create teas that carry their own signature. And their own story.
Soft Pearl: a symbol of change
Their first tea is called Soft Pearl. At sunrise, the women gather the youngest buds, glistening with dew. After harvest, the leaves are left to dry slowly in both sun and shade.
The result is a delicate white tea with a refined character. But Soft Pearl is more than flavour. It is a symbol: a sign that women are not only the hands behind the harvest but also the makers of teas that carry their name.
Knowledge as strength
Specialty tea calls for new skills. The women train in processing, quality control, and tasting. They learn about packaging, entrepreneurship, and export.
Partners stand alongside them: the International Tea & Coffee Academy and Tea Growers Academy from the Netherlands bring technical expertise, while Solidaridad East and Central Africa, TrustAfrica, and Women Win support broader goals like gender equality and market access. Even Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Trade is part of the effort.
Beyond economics
The association is about more than money. It gives women a platform to talk about their place in the community, about work, income, safety, and dignity. United, they can make themselves seen and heard, and demand change from those in power.
The road ahead
The path is not easy. Many women still depend on the bulk market for income. Specialty tea requires patience, care, and a market that is still finding its shape. Infrastructure is another obstacle: facilities, storage, and export channels are not always within reach. And international buyers must first be convinced that Uganda belongs on the specialty map.
Yet the first results, like Soft Pearl, show what is possible. They offer hope, proof that a new chapter is already unfolding.
Tea Kulture and Women in Tea Uganda
At Tea Kulture, we choose to stand with Women in Tea Uganda. Their journey mirrors our belief that tea is never just a drink: it is people, place, and story.
By moving from anonymous plucking for the bulk market to creating their own specialty teas, these women are changing the chain. More value stays in Uganda, more recognition goes to the women themselves. This is the direction we want to support: a fair, transparent, and sustainable tea world.
Our selection from Women in Tea
At Tea Kulture we offer several teas from Women in Tea, including Gorilla White, Enjojo Black and Entuha Green.
Gorilla White is a rare white tea from the Kisoro region, where only the finest buds are hand-picked at 1,600 metres altitude. The infusion is light and clear with delicate floral and sweet notes. Enjojo Black comes from the Bushenyi region and undergoes 24 hours of withering followed by 4 hours of oxidation. The copper-red infusion offers a soft, fruity taste with notes of apricot and honey. Entuha Green is an artisanal green tea where the young leaves are hand-picked, rolled, roasted and sun-dried. The golden green infusion has a sweet, fruity character with a gentle nutty aftertaste.
Looking forward
Women in Tea Uganda is still young. The association has only just introduced its first tea. But something important has begun. For the first time, women in Uganda have their own national association in tea, with their own product and a clear vision.
This story deserves to be told. Because it shows that change is possible, that tea can carry dignity and justice. Women in Tea Uganda is still growing, but it already proves that when women share knowledge and stand together, they open doors to a future that once seemed out of reach.
