Uganda tea nursery operators seek Museveni’s intervention over unpaid seedling compensation 

UGANDA – Tea nursery operators in southwestern Uganda have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and fast-track the payment of UGX112 billion (US$31.49M) owed to them for tea seedlings supplied to government programmes but never paid for. 

The appeal was made by about 874 members of the South Western Region Tea Nursery Bed Operators Association during their annual general meeting held at Kanungu District headquarters.  

During the meeting, members also ratified a new nine-member regional executive committee tasked with pursuing the long-outstanding compensation. 

“The association respectfully requests the President to intervene and facilitate the expedited payment of the remaining balance of Shs112 billion pledged for compensation to nursery bed operators across the region,” read the meeting resolution. 

The resolution mandates the new executive committee to formally engage the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, while providing regular updates to members on progress made. 

The unpaid compensation relates to tea seedlings supplied to government-backed initiatives between 2015 and 2021, which were aimed at expanding tea farming in the Kigezi sub-region and the wider southwestern part of the country. 

Byaruhanga said the association had previously secured a commitment from President Museveni during a meeting held in Bushenyi District on August 19, 2025. 

“He pledged to pay a total of Shs112 billion in pending obligations to nursery operators across the region,” Byaruhanga said, adding that the president subsequently issued a directive to the Office of the Prime Minister on August 26, 2025, instructing immediate action. 

Byaruhanga urged association members to remain united and disciplined as they pursue the compensation, cautioning against internal divisions that could weaken their case. 

“Maintain unity, avoid internal conflicts, and refrain from actions that could jeopardise the promised compensation payment,” he told members, adding that “money hates noise.” 

Kanungu Resident District Commissioner Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire confirmed that some payments had already been made and asked operators to allow time for the remaining balances to be processed. 

“It was the initiative of President Museveni to boost tea farming in the Kigezi region. It is true that tea nursery bed operators in the area recently received some payment from the government,” Mwesigye Amanyire said. 

“While their petition to the president can be considered as a reminder to the government to pay the remaining balances, they should be patient as the government works on their payments,” he added. 

He also urged tea nursery operators to prioritise quality control across the tea value chain to support the production of high-quality tea capable of earning foreign exchange for Uganda. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.