In short: Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd is a tea estate in Lugazi, Uganda, at 1,239 metres, known to supply Finlays.
Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd is a tea estate located in the Lugazi region of Uganda, operating at an elevation of 1,239 metres. The estate is operated by Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a major international tea buyer and processor.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,239 metres and situated very close to the equator—Lugazi lies at approximately 0.37° north—this estate occupies a climate zone that typically experiences consistent temperatures year-round with minimal seasonal variation. Estates at this latitude and moderate elevation generally benefit from steady warmth and reliable rainfall distributed across much of the calendar, conditions that tend to support continuous vegetative growth rather than the pronounced seasonal dormancy seen in higher-latitude tea regions.
The mid-altitude position often allows for a balance between yield and leaf character: warm enough to encourage vigorous growth yet sufficiently elevated to avoid the most extreme lowland heat. In Uganda's tea-growing districts, estates at similar elevations and in comparable agroecological zones typically produce leaf with moderate body and a clean, brisk character, though specific outcomes depend on soil composition, cultivar selection, and agronomic management, none of which are documented here.
Tea Produced
The estate produces both black and green tea. Black teas from estates in this region and elevation band in Uganda generally yield a bright, coppery liquor with a clean, brisk profile and moderate astringency—qualities that suit both blending and packet-tea applications. Green tea production in East Africa remains less common than orthodox or CTC black, but when processed from leaf grown at this latitude and altitude, it tends to deliver a lighter, vegetal cup with gentle sweetness, though specific processing methods and cultivar selection will strongly influence the final character.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate's recorded supply relationship with Finlays places it within the orbit of one of the world's largest vertically integrated tea businesses, which sources, processes, and distributes tea to major retail and food-service buyers globally. Finlays operates extensive buying networks across East Africa, and estates supplying the company typically produce volume tea suited to blending and branded packet formats. This connection suggests that Luwala Tea Estates' output is directed toward the commodity and mid-market segments of the global tea trade, where consistency, briskness, and competitive pricing are key commercial attributes.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd lies at 0.4411, 33.1253 in Lugazi, Uganda. Its 1239 m elevation is the 21st highest of 30 estates we map in Uganda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Green Lakes Plantations Sarl, Moniko — 10 km away · Jinja
- MUGOMA — 61 km away · Kampala
- Kinkiizi Development Co Ltd, Rugyeyo Tea Factory, Kigezi Highland — 62 km away · Kigezi Highland
- MITYANA — 62 km away · Nakasero Rd
- TORO — 62 km away · Nakasero Rd
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd (1,239 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd recorded 1,664 mm in 2025, 31% less than the 2,400 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guizhou Tongren Gui Tea Co., Ltd. | Guiyang, China | 1,241 m | 1,466 mm | 19.9 °C |
| Soom Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,237 m | 2,376 mm | 22.5 °C |
| Mwera Tea Estates Ltdmwte) | p.o Box, Uganda | 1,237 m | 1,149 mm | 27.1 °C |
| Kotagala Plantations, Dratton | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,236 m | 4,232 mm | 22.6 °C |
| DHAJEA | West Bengal, India | 1,244 m | 2,778 mm | 21.0 °C |
Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd Compared with Uganda
In Uganda, Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd is the wettest of the 30 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 69% of the others by elevation; warmer than 66% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd against the 29 other estates we map in Uganda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,239 m | 1,481 m | 1,070 to 1,808 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,664 mm | 1,251 mm | 943 to 1,432 mm |
| Mean daily high | 26.7 °C | 26.0 °C | 23.1 to 29.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.4 °C | 16.3 °C | 14.4 to 18.7 °C |
Observed Climate at Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd’s coordinates recorded 1,664 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (232 mm) and the driest was February (35 mm). Daytime highs averaged 26.7 °C and overnight lows 17.4 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,664 mm |
| Wettest month | April (232 mm) |
| Driest month | February (35 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 26.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd located?
Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd is in Lugazi, Uganda, at coordinates 0.4411, 33.1253, at an elevation of about 1239 metres.
Who operates Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd?
Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd is operated by Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd produce?
Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,664 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (232 mm).
How does Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd recorded 1,664 mm in 2025, 31% less rain than the 2,400 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].
