KAMPALA — Mwenge Central Member of Parliament Hon. Methusela Kasukali has raised concerns over declining tea prices and challenges facing farmers, pledging to work with fellow legislators to push for measures that will regulate the sector and protect growers from unfavourable market conditions.
Kasukali, who represents Mwenge Central Constituency in Kyenjojo District, says tea farmers need better protection against price fluctuations and other challenges that threaten their earnings. He wants Parliament to give greater attention to the concerns of growers, whose livelihoods depend on the production and sale of tea.
The legislator has indicated that he is working with colleagues, including Hon. Cohen of Igara and Hon. Kalisa of Buhweju, to raise the concerns affecting tea farmers. The lawmakers intend to work together to push for the Uganda Tea Bill as part of efforts to address challenges within the industry.
Kasukali believes that a legal framework could help establish clearer rules for the tea sector, particularly regarding prices paid to farmers. He argues that regulation should address the concerns of growers and help ensure that those who invest their time and resources in tea production receive fair returns.
He has expressed concern that the tea sector has largely been left in the hands of private players, whom he says have considerable influence over market conditions. According to the legislator, the reduction in tea prices has placed farmers under pressure, raising questions about how the interests of growers can be protected.
For many tea farmers, changes in buying prices can affect household incomes and their ability to meet the costs of maintaining plantations. Kasukali’s concerns therefore point to the need for discussions on how the sector can operate in a way that supports farmers while maintaining a sustainable tea industry.
Beyond price regulation, Kasukali has highlighted other issues that require attention, including tea planting, harvesting methods and access to export markets. Addressing these areas could help improve productivity, strengthen the value chain and create better opportunities for farmers to benefit from the wider tea trade.
The proposed Uganda Tea Bill is expected to be central to the efforts Kasukali and his colleagues want to pursue. However, the details of the proposed legislation, including the specific regulatory measures and how they would be implemented, remain to be established through the relevant legislative processes.
Kasukali’s intervention places the concerns of tea growers on the parliamentary agenda and signals his intention to work with other legislators to seek solutions. As discussions on the sector continue, farmers will be looking for practical measures that address low prices, improve market access and ensure that tea growing remains economically viable
