Tea growing in Kayonza was started by Uganda Development Corporation. Nurseries were established in 1959 and the field planting in 1961. The factory was commissioned in 1964 and was later acquired by The Uganda Tea Growers Corporation in 1971, a parastatal which was charged with developing tea growing among out growers and Marketing their produce. The factory suffered like all the other agricultural and business enterprises from the political and economic turmoil that characterised the 1970’s and first half of the 1980’s.
The Out-growers factories were rehabilitated through projects sponsored by the EU and the Government of Uganda between 1991 and 2000. Kayonza underwent the privatisation process between 1995 and 2000 to the farmers supplying tea to the factory, thereby becoming the shareholders thus owners of the factory.
Mission Statement
To be a profitable, sustainable and leading producer of best quality teas in Uganda through efficient and effective management to ensure better returns to the smallholders.
Vision
Kayonza has adopted the HACCP food safety standards which we are pursuing vigorously until certification within the next 6 months. This will be achieved through:
- Increasing production of good quality leaf and adhering to the stance of two leaves and a bud.
- Providing efficient and effective extension services to the Smallholder farmers
- Providing the recommended inputs in time
- Collecting promptly the leaf from the farmers in time with consideration of good quality
- Implementing HACCP principles in the field, out-growers and the factory
- Attaining quality assurance standard using properly trained and qualified personnel
