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 characterized the 1970’s and first half of the 1980’s.
The outgrowers factories were rehabilitated through projects sponsored by the EU and Government of Uganda between 1991 and 2000. Kayonza underwent the privatization 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 small holders.”
Vision
Kayonza is HACCP food safety standards CERTIFIED. Which we achieved through increased production of good quality leaf and adhering to the stance of two leaves and a bud.
- Providing efficient and effective services to the small holder farmers.
- Providing recommended inputs in time.
- Collecting promptly the leaf from the farmers in time with consideration of good quality.
- Implementing HACCP principles in the field, outgrowers and the factory.
- Attaining quality assurance standard using properly trained and qualified personnel.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Detailed Information
Set-Up of the Factory.
The factory is headed by a six man Board of Directors who are elected during the Annual General Meeting, which takes place once every year. A director serves a maximum of 3 years before he or she retires or offers himself for reelection if he/she desires. This rotational system is to ensure that there is continuity on the board. The Board the formulates the policies, which are implemented by management.
The factory is managed by Uganda Tea Development Agency which was formed by Kayonza and Igara and headed by General Manger assisted by other managers in planning administration management finance, procurement and marketing. the management staff is seconded in the factories they are based. the factory is headed by a group manager assisted by six heads of departments to manage the factory operations.
GreenLeaf Collection and Extension Services.
The agricultural extension service is well coordinated by a field manager who is employed by the factory and has quite a supportive extension staff to help the farmer effectively manage his/her farm thus good tea husbandry methods and better returns from growing tea.
The leaf is collected daily from the tea centers, some times twice a day depending on the distance from the factory. the first leaf gets to the factory by 1pm while the rest gets in between 5-7pm. Quality inspection is done at the leaf centers and is transported in greenleaf bags to the factory. the transporter is under obligation to ensure that there are no hazards arising during transportation to the factory. more quality inspection is later done on offloading at the factory.
Kayonza is the leading producer of quality tea in Uganda. Last year it produced 2.17 million kgs of CTC black made tea. It also competes favourably with some of the factories in kenya West rift. But the quality improvement is a continous process especially if we have to remain competitive. Quality improvement therefore remains our number one goal.
Kayonza’s made tea is popular for quality. the leaf is known in the Market to be neat, clean and well sorted grade. The infusions are quite bright while the liquors are bright and strong, high-quality appreciated by various markets.
Sales and Marketing.
Just like most of the teas, Kayonza teas are sold in bulk either to the local buyers who pick the teas from the factory gate,currently taking about 10% of the total sales.
Through the Mombasa Auction which is about 80% and
Directly as private contracts comprising of 10%
All tea inquiries are handled by the Marketing officer which is based at the UTDAL headquarters in Kampala. Sales are subject to Approval of Sample (S.A.S), either sent directly to from Kampala or via the broker. All finance and trading transactions are carried through Stanbic Bank, whose details appear in every invoice sent to the buyer.