In short: Muzizi is a tea estate in Kagadi District, Bwikara Sub-County, Uganda, operated by McLeod Russel Uganda and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
Muzizi is a tea estate located in the Bwikara Sub-County of Kagadi District in western Uganda. The estate is operated by McLeod Russel Uganda, the Ugandan arm of what was historically one of the world's largest tea producers. Muzizi is recorded as supplying Morrisons, the UK supermarket chain, with both black and green tea.
Terroir & Climate
At approximately 1,305 metres above sea level, Muzizi occupies a mid-elevation position in Uganda's tea-growing landscape. Estates at this altitude in equatorial East Africa typically benefit from moderate temperatures and consistent rainfall patterns distributed across much of the year, conditions that generally support steady vegetative growth. The latitude—less than one degree north of the equator—means day length remains nearly constant throughout the year, which tends to result in continuous rather than sharply seasonal flush cycles.
The Kagadi District lies within the western highlands of Uganda, a region where volcanic soils and reliable moisture have historically supported both smallholder and estate tea cultivation. Elevations in this range often yield a growing environment that balances warmth with sufficient cooling at night, factors that typically influence both the pace of leaf development and the accumulation of secondary metabolites that shape cup character.
Tea Produced
Muzizi produces both black and green tea. Black teas from Ugandan estates at comparable elevations generally offer a straightforward, brisk cup with good body and a clean, malty character; they are often valued in blends for their consistency and robust flavour. Green tea production in Uganda remains less common than black, but estates in this altitude band can typically produce leaf with a mild, vegetal profile when processing is managed to preserve freshness and minimise oxidation.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Muzizi is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within a supply chain serving the UK retail market, where Ugandan tea is typically valued for blending purposes and for own-label products. Supplying a large British retailer indicates that Muzizi's output meets the volume, quality consistency, and traceability standards expected by mainstream grocery buyers, though the specific volumes and contract terms are not publicly documented.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
McLeod Russel Uganda is the operating company behind Muzizi. McLeod Russel, historically headquartered in India, was for many years the world's largest tea producer by volume, with estates spanning India, Vietnam, Rwanda, and Uganda. The company operates four other tea estates in our directory in addition to Muzizi, reflecting a significant footprint in the Ugandan tea sector. In recent years McLeod Russel has undergone restructuring and asset sales, though its Ugandan operations have remained active.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Muzizi lies at 0.9400, 30.7036 in Kagadi District of the Bwikara Sub-County, Uganda. Its 1305 m elevation is the 20th highest of 30 estates we map in Uganda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden — 26 km away · Fort Portal
- Kijura Tea Company — 35 km away · Western
- KYENJOJO — 36 km away · Mabale
- Mabale Growers Tea Factory Ltd — 37 km away · Fort Portal
- MABALE — 37 km away · Mabale
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Muzizi
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Muzizi (1,305 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Muzizi recorded 1,286 mm in 2025, 53% less than the 2,708 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinoro Tea Factory | Eastern Province, Kenya | 1,307 m | 1,008 mm | 25.5 °C |
| Hatton Plantations, Abbotsleigh | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,307 m | 4,232 mm | 22.5 °C |
| Bogawantalawa Plantations, Bogawantalawa | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,301 m | 3,868 mm | 22.1 °C |
| Hunan Yiqingyuan Everspring Tea Co., Ltd. | Pu'Er City, China | 1,313 m | 2,137 mm | 24.6 °C |
| TUMSONG | West Bengal, India | 1,324 m | 2,294 mm | 21.9 °C |
Muzizi Compared with Uganda
In Uganda, Muzizi is wetter than 69% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 66% of the others by elevation; warmer than 83% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Muzizi against the 29 other estates we map in Uganda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Muzizi | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,305 m | 1,481 m | 1,070 to 1,808 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,286 mm | 1,251 mm | 943 to 1,664 mm |
| Mean daily high | 27.2 °C | 26.0 °C | 23.1 to 29.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.0 °C | 16.3 °C | 14.4 to 18.7 °C |
Observed Climate at Muzizi (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Muzizi’s coordinates recorded 1,286 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (176 mm) and the driest was January (5 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.2 °C and overnight lows 17.0 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,286 mm |
| Wettest month | April (176 mm) |
| Driest month | January (5 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 27.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Muzizi located?
Muzizi is in Kagadi District of the Bwikara Sub-County, Uganda, at coordinates 0.9400, 30.7036, at an elevation of about 1305 metres.
Who operates Muzizi?
Muzizi is operated by McLeod Russel Uganda, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Muzizi produce?
Muzizi is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Muzizi supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Muzizi as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Muzizi receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,286 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (176 mm).
How does Muzizi compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Muzizi recorded 1,286 mm in 2025, 53% less rain than the 2,708 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].