In short: Buzirasagama is a tea estate in the Fort Portal region of Uganda, operated by Rwenzori Commodities and known to supply Finlays.
Buzirasagama is a tea estate situated in the Fort Portal region of Uganda, at an elevation of 1,515 metres. The estate is operated by Rwenzori Commodities and is known to supply Finlays, one of the world's largest vertically integrated tea and coffee businesses. The estate produces both black and green tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,515 metres and positioned virtually on the equator, Buzirasagama occupies an elevation that typically supports year-round vegetative growth with minimal seasonal dormancy. Estates at this altitude in equatorial East Africa often benefit from relatively stable temperatures and well-distributed rainfall, conditions that tend to encourage continuous flushing and a steady supply of leaf throughout the calendar year.
The Fort Portal region lies in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains, where volcanic soils and high ambient humidity are common. These conditions generally favour the development of bright, brisk cup character in black teas, though specific soil chemistry and microclimate vary from site to site. The combination of altitude and latitude at Buzirasagama would typically produce leaf with moderate to good body and a clean, straightforward profile.
Tea Produced
Buzirasagama produces both black and green tea. Black teas from estates at this elevation in Uganda typically yield a bright, coppery liquor with brisk astringency and a clean, malty base—characteristics well suited to blending. Green tea production from the same leaf material tends to result in a lighter, more vegetal cup, though processing specifics will determine the final character. Estates in the Fort Portal area generally produce teas that perform reliably in commercial blends rather than as single-origin offerings.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Buzirasagama is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major integrated tea operator with a global footprint in sourcing, processing, blending, and packing. This relationship suggests that the estate's output is likely directed toward the mainstream blended tea market, where consistency, volume, and competitive pricing are valued. Finlays' presence as a buyer indicates that Buzirasagama meets the quality and logistical standards required for international supply chains serving supermarket own-label and branded blends.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
Buzirasagama is operated by Rwenzori Commodities, a company active in the Ugandan tea sector. Rwenzori Commodities operates at least two other tea estates recorded in this directory, indicating a portfolio approach to production in the region. Multi-estate operators of this kind typically benefit from economies of scale in processing, logistics, and market access.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
BUZIRASAGAMA lies at 0.6546, 30.2801 in Fort Portal, Uganda. Its 1515 m elevation is the joint 2nd highest of 11 estates we map in Fort Portal. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Ankole — under 1 km away
- Bugambe — under 1 km away
- Kiko — under 1 km away
- Mpanga Growers Tea Factory Ltd — under 1 km away
- MUNOBWA — under 1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to BUZIRASAGAMA
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match BUZIRASAGAMA (1,515 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. BUZIRASAGAMA recorded 1,251 mm in 2025, 35% less than the 1,910 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturata Plantations, Ragalla Group | Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka | 1,517 m | 2,694 mm | 22.3 °C |
| RUKERI ORGANIC | B.P Kigali, Rwanda | 1,510 m | 1,053 mm | 26.3 °C |
| Chamu Tea Garden | Chamu Tea Garden, India | 1,508 m | 2,552 mm | 19.6 °C |
| Tukdah Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,504 m | 2,376 mm | 20.7 °C |
| Jersey Tea Estate | Msasa, Zimbabwe | 1,526 m | 876 mm | 24.2 °C |
BUZIRASAGAMA Compared with Fort Portal
In Fort Portal, BUZIRASAGAMA is drier than 80% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 60% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 11 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets BUZIRASAGAMA against the 10 other estates we map in Fort Portal, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | BUZIRASAGAMA | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,515 m | 1,515 m | 1,141 to 1,533 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,251 mm | 1,251 mm | 943 to 1,382 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.5 °C | 24.9 °C | 24.5 to 27.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.1 °C | 16.1 °C | 15.9 to 18.0 °C |
Observed Climate at BUZIRASAGAMA (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for BUZIRASAGAMA’s coordinates recorded 1,251 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (168 mm) and the driest was January (2 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.5 °C and overnight lows 16.1 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,251 mm |
| Wettest month | October (168 mm) |
| Driest month | January (2 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is BUZIRASAGAMA located?
BUZIRASAGAMA is in Fort Portal, Uganda, at coordinates 0.6546, 30.2801, at an elevation of about 1515 metres.
Who operates BUZIRASAGAMA?
BUZIRASAGAMA is operated by Rwenzori Commodities, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does BUZIRASAGAMA produce?
BUZIRASAGAMA is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does BUZIRASAGAMA supply?
Public supplier disclosures record BUZIRASAGAMA as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does BUZIRASAGAMA receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,251 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (168 mm).
How does BUZIRASAGAMA compare with estates at a similar elevation?
BUZIRASAGAMA recorded 1,251 mm in 2025, 35% less rain than the 1,910 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].
