In short: Mwenge is a tea estate in the Ankole region of Uganda's Bushenyi District, operated by McLeod Russel Uganda and recorded as a supplier to Morrisons.
Mwenge is a tea estate located in the Ankole region of Uganda, specifically within Bushenyi District. Situated at an elevation of 1,644 metres near the equator, the estate is operated by McLeod Russel Uganda and produces both black and green tea. It is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,644 metres above sea level and positioned almost exactly on the equator, Mwenge occupies a climatic zone that tea estates in East Africa often exploit for consistent year-round growing conditions. The equatorial latitude typically delivers stable temperatures and relatively even day-length throughout the year, while the altitude tends to moderate heat and introduce diurnal temperature variation that can slow leaf maturation.
Estates at this elevation in Uganda's western highlands generally experience reliable rainfall distributed across two peaks, though the lack of a pronounced winter dormancy means that harvesting cycles tend to be less sharply seasonal than in higher-latitude origins. The combination of altitude and equatorial climate often encourages steady vegetative growth, and volcanic or laterite soils common to the region typically provide the drainage and mineral content that support commercial tea cultivation.
Tea Produced
Mwenge produces both black and green tea. Black teas from Ugandan estates at this elevation typically yield a brisk, clean cup with moderate body and a straightforward malt-and-brass character; the profile tends to suit blending as much as single-origin retail. Green tea production in East Africa remains less common than orthodox or CTC black, but estates that process both styles usually aim for a light, vegetal cup without the pronounced umami or sweetness associated with Asian greens, reflecting both cultivar and the processing traditions of the region.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Mwenge is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within the retail own-label supply chain, a segment that prioritises consistent quality, traceability, and often third-party assurance standards. Supplying a volume buyer of Morrisons' scale suggests that Mwenge is positioned to deliver commercial-grade leaf at a competitive price point, with the logistics and quality-control systems to meet the exacting specifications of a public-facing retail brand.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
McLeod Russel Uganda operates Mwenge as part of a portfolio that includes four other estates recorded in our directory. McLeod Russel, historically one of the world's largest tea producers, built its reputation in India before expanding into East Africa, where its Ugandan operations contribute to the group's diversified geographic footprint. The presence of multiple estates under common management in Uganda reflects the company's strategy of scale and vertical integration in a country that has steadily grown its share of African tea exports.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Mwenge lies at -0.5436, 30.1867 in Ankole. District: Bushenyi Area, Uganda. Its 1644 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 30 estates we map in Uganda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Global Village Tea Company Ltd. — 5.1 km away · Western
- Uganda Tea Development Agency Ltd, Igara — 24 km away · Central
- Kayonza — 38 km away · Ntungamo
- Mulindi Tea Factory — 105 km away · Mu Maya
- MUSHUBI — 121 km away · GICUMBI
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Mwenge
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Mwenge (1,644 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Mwenge recorded 1,399 mm in 2025, 33% less than the 2,094 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arivikad | Kerala, India | 1,646 m | 2,773 mm | 21.3 °C |
| Kenya Tea Development Agency, Nyansiongo | Kisii, Kenya | 1,652 m | 1,526 mm | 25.1 °C |
| KANGAITA | Moi Avenue, Kenya | 1,632 m | 1,160 mm | 21.8 °C |
| Himalayan Shangri-La | Mechi Hwy, Nepal | 1,661 m | 2,238 mm | 18.2 °C |
| Devikulam | Kerala, India | 1,626 m | 2,773 mm | 21.3 °C |
Mwenge Compared with Uganda
In Uganda, Mwenge is wetter than 90% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 97% of the others by elevation; cooler than 76% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Mwenge against the 29 other estates we map in Uganda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Mwenge | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,644 m | 1,416 m | 1,070 to 1,808 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,399 mm | 1,251 mm | 943 to 1,664 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.3 °C | 26.4 °C | 23.1 to 29.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.1 °C | 16.5 °C | 14.4 to 18.7 °C |
Observed Climate at Mwenge (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Mwenge’s coordinates recorded 1,399 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (203 mm) and the driest was January (22 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.3 °C and overnight lows 15.1 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,399 mm |
| Wettest month | November (203 mm) |
| Driest month | January (22 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mwenge located?
Mwenge is in Ankole. District: Bushenyi Area, Uganda, at coordinates -0.5436, 30.1867, at an elevation of about 1644 metres.
Who operates Mwenge?
Mwenge is operated by McLeod Russel Uganda, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Mwenge produce?
Mwenge is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Mwenge supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Mwenge as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Mwenge receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,399 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (203 mm).
How does Mwenge compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Mwenge recorded 1,399 mm in 2025, 33% less rain than the 2,094 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].