In short: Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden is a tea estate near Fort Portal in western Uganda, operating at 1,492 metres and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden is a tea estate located near Fort Portal in western Uganda. Situated at an elevation of 1,492 metres and positioned close to the equator, the estate produces both black and green tea. It is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the global tea trade's established buyers.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,492 metres above sea level and less than one degree north of the equator, the estate occupies a mid-altitude zone where temperatures typically remain moderate year-round. This equatorial location generally means minimal seasonal temperature variation, though diurnal swings between day and night can be pronounced at this elevation. Such conditions tend to support steady vegetative growth with little winter dormancy, permitting multiple harvests across the calendar year.
The Fort Portal region lies in Uganda's western highlands, an area that generally receives reliable rainfall distributed across much of the year. Estates at comparable elevations in equatorial East Africa often benefit from well-drained volcanic or lateritic soils, and the interplay of altitude, moisture and equatorial light intensity typically encourages consistent leaf production. The relatively stable climate reduces the sharp flavour peaks and troughs associated with more seasonal growing zones, tending instead toward dependable, even yields.
Tea Produced
The estate produces both black and green tea. Black teas from mid-altitude Ugandan gardens in this region typically yield a bright, coppery liquor with a clean, brisk character and moderate body—profiles that suit blending as well as single-origin offerings. Green tea production at equatorial estates of this elevation often results in a lighter, vegetal cup with gentle astringency, though processing method and plucking standard will significantly shape the final character. The consistent growing conditions at this latitude tend to deliver uniform leaf quality across harvests, a trait valued by buyers seeking reliable supply.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major integrated tea company with extensive blending, packing and distribution operations across global markets. This relationship places Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden within an established supply chain serving retail brands, foodservice and out-of-home customers in multiple regions. Finlays' presence as a buyer indicates that the estate's output meets the quality and volume benchmarks required for incorporation into commercial blends and branded packaged tea, both of which demand consistency and traceability.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden lies at 0.7667, 30.5500 in Fort Portal, Uganda. Its 1492 m elevation is the 9th highest of 11 estates we map in Fort Portal. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- KYENJOJO — 11 km away · Mabale
- Mabale Growers Tea Factory Ltd — 11 km away
- MABALE — 11 km away · Mabale
- Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Kiko Factory, Kibale Garden — 12 km away
- Kijura Tea Company — 16 km away · Western
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden (1,492 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden recorded 1,382 mm in 2025, 29% less than the 1,941 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogawantalawa Plantations, Loinorn | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,493 m | 2,299 mm | 23.0 °C |
| Negara KanaanTea Estate | Kab. Bandung, Indonesia | 1,487 m | 2,986 mm | 22.3 °C |
| Pita Ratmalie Tea Factory | B147, Sri Lanka | 1,498 m | 2,188 mm | 22.5 °C |
| Thumaita | Kenya, Kenya | 1,499 m | 1,274 mm | 24.0 °C |
| IKUMBI | THIKA, Kenya | 1,500 m | 956 mm | 25.1 °C |
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden Compared with Fort Portal
In Fort Portal, Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden is the wettest of the 11 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 80% of the others by elevation; warmer than 80% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden 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 | Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,492 m | 1,515 m | 1,141 to 1,533 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,382 mm | 1,251 mm | 943 to 1,310 mm |
| Mean daily high | 26.0 °C | 24.5 °C | 24.5 to 27.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.5 °C | 16.1 °C | 15.9 to 18.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden’s coordinates recorded 1,382 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (187 mm) and the driest was January (3 mm). Daytime highs averaged 26.0 °C and overnight lows 16.5 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,382 mm |
| Wettest month | April (187 mm) |
| Driest month | January (3 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 26.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden located?
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden is in Fort Portal, Uganda, at coordinates 0.7667, 30.5500, at an elevation of about 1492 metres.
Who operates Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden?
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden is operated by Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden produce?
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,382 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (187 mm).
How does Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden recorded 1,382 mm in 2025, 29% less rain than the 1,941 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].
