KAMPALA, UGANDA — Mwenge Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Methuselah Kasukaali, has joined fellow legislators representing tea-growing areas in a meeting with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, and senior government officials to discuss the implementation of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s pledge to support Uganda’s tea industry.
The meeting, held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, brought together MPs from tea-producing areas to engage government on measures needed to strengthen the sector, improve farmers’ livelihoods and increase the contribution of tea to Uganda’s economy.
The engagement was attended by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Henry Musasizi, and the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi.
Discussions focused on how the presidential pledge, made during an NRM retreat, can be translated into practical interventions that benefit tea farmers and other stakeholders across the industry.
Hon. Kasukaali’s participation comes amid growing attention to the challenges affecting Uganda’s tea sector, including product quality, market competitiveness and the need for effective regulation to ensure that farmers receive better returns from their produce.
The legislator has previously raised concerns about the quality of Ugandan tea and the absence of a comprehensive legal framework to regulate the sector. He argued that addressing these challenges could improve the competitiveness of Ugandan tea on regional and international markets.
He has also highlighted the potential for improved standards and stronger regulation to increase export earnings, attract investment and create better opportunities for farmers, processors and exporters.
The meeting with the Deputy Speaker and government officials provided an opportunity for MPs representing tea-growing communities to engage on the implementation of the presidential commitment and the practical measures required to support the industry.
The involvement of the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury is significant to discussions on government financing and the implementation of commitments intended to strengthen agricultural production and improve the livelihoods of farming communities.
For tea-growing communities, the implementation of the pledge could provide an opportunity to address longstanding concerns affecting production, market access and farmers’ incomes. However, the specific interventions, funding arrangements and implementation timelines will be important in determining the impact of the government’s commitment.
Hon. Kasukaali’s participation underscores the continued engagement of legislators representing tea-producing areas in discussions aimed at strengthening Uganda’s tea industry, improving farmers’ earnings and maximising the country’s agricultural export potential.
