| Bank Centenary Bank |
| Client Mpanga Growers Tea Factory |
| Location Kabarole District, Western Uganda |
Mpanga Growers Tea Factory is one of four factories formerly owned by Uganda Tea Growers Corporation. The corporation was originally established by an Act of Parliament in 1966, following Uganda’s independence. The factories were established to protect the interests of smallholder tea growers against competitors, with the ultimate aim of making them owners.
In 1995, the company was privatised and smallholder tea farmers were encouraged to buy shares. The name changed to Mpanga Growers Tea Factory Ltd and is now fully owned by the small holders. Mpanga Growers Tea Factory is now one of the leading tea growers company in Uganda, producing high quality tea for the local and export markets.
Mpanga Growers Tea factory is the main source of income to 800 families in Kabarole and Kyenjojo Districts.
Centenary Bank has played a major financing role in its growth over the years, providing in excess of UShs2.5 billion in loans. As a result, the company has overhauled its entire production line and doubled its production capacity from 35,000 tones of tea per day to 80,000 tones. Mr Okello James, accountant at the company, attributes its growth to Centenary Bank’s support and helpful advice; ‘Our relationship with them is so good and we are proud to be partners in growth.’
Mpanga Growers Tea factory is the main source of income to 800 families in Kabarole and Kyenjojo Districts. The number of people whose livelihoods depend on this factory is more than 4,700 people.