Pinneti called to save Uganda’s tea industry!

George Williams, 23rd Feb 2024

The controversial investor Erica Pinneti of the Vinci Coffee company and also investor behind Lubowa Specialized Hospital scandal has been called to take over the limping tea industry in Uganda.

Sources indicate that the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja is going to chair a meeting of key stakeholders in which Pinneti is among them to discuss the way forward of the tea industry

According to inside sources, the Prime Minister in a letter dated 20th Feb 2024 summoned a crisis meeting in which Pinneti will meet Permanent Secretaries from Ministries of Agriculture, Trade & Industry, Finance, Local Government and Lands to discuss the way forward of the sector. Among other people invited is the Chairperson Presidential Advisory Committee on Industrial Development also son in law to the President Odrek Rwabwogo and Presidential Advisor on Agriculture Rose Kabagyenyi, Chairperson of the Tea Association of Uganda Gregory Mugabe, Executive Director Uganda Investments Authority Dr Robert Mukiza among others. The meeting will be chaired by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.

“You are aware the country is facing problems in the tea industry, resulting in the closure of some tea factories, this matter was discussed by the cabinet and it was agreed that we harmonize on the proposed interventions to address the problem” the letter by Nabbanja reads in part.

Tea plantations being uprooted by farmers in Buhweju

Tea prices have drastically gone down affecting farmers in the greater Bushenyi, Kigezi, Toro and other tea growing parts which has resulted in the closure of some factories while some farmers in greater Bushenyi have uprooted their tea plantations.