Uganda’s tea industry mourns Eng Gershom Kateera Rwakasanga

________________

Uganda’s tea fraternity is mourning Eng. Gershom Kateera Rwakasanga, a figure in the nation’s tea industry, who died on October 11, 2025, at Busowoko Falls, Jinja.

Former chairperson of the Uganda Tea Outgrowers Association (UTOA), Onesimus Matsiko, says Rwakasanga was not only an accomplished engineer but also a visionary leader whose reforms and initiatives reshaped farmer-owned tea factories and empowered smallholder farmers across Uganda.

Rwakasanga also worked at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), where he served as Manager of Terminals Development and Operations.

A legacy of governance, accountability at Igara

Edson Batuna, who served as a member of the Igara board under Eng Rwakasanga recounted his achievements to both the company and the farmers' community.

As chairperson of Igara Growers Tea Factory Ltd, Rwakasanga tackled longstanding challenges in farmer-owned governance with unwavering resolve.

He introduced sweeping reforms to enhance professionalism and accountability, including ensuring a clear distinction between the Board and Management to allow professionals to operate efficiently while maintaining high standards and launching a management training and development scheme to prioritise competence over nepotism or political influence.

He has also been praised for upholding strict accountability, even when it involved powerful shareholders or politically connected individuals.

Under his leadership, Igara’s performance reached new heights. Green-leaf deliveries surpassed factory capacity, with surplus leaf sold to neighbouring factories.

His strategic vision also led to plans for three additional processing plants in Mugoma, Kanuuka, and Bitereko to serve underserved zones, complementing existing facilities in Igara and Nyakashaka.

Eng Rwakasanga spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul of Igara Growers Tea Factory’s Articles and Memorandum of Association, aligning them with modern company laws and corporate governance best practices.

This reform clarified the roles of directors and management, reinforcing transparency and accountability.

His efforts ensured Igara operated as a model farmer-owned enterprise, leaving a lasting blueprint for governance in Uganda’s tea sector.

Empowering smallholders through innovation

Rwakasanga’s leadership extended beyond governance to practical innovations that transformed the lives of smallholder tea farmers.

Two flagship initiatives stand out: Affordable fertiliser access and the digitisation of farmer data. By directly importing NPK fertiliser from China, Igara offered farmers prices lower than local distributors, breaking cost barriers and enabling smallholders to boost productivity.

With funding from the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU) framework, Eng Rwakasanga oversaw the creation of a comprehensive database mapping tea smallholders’ farm locations, production capacities, and profiles.

This digital platform, extended to other farmer-owned factories, became a cornerstone for national efforts to track and support tea growers. Though updates slowed after his tenure, the system remains a critical asset.

Advocating for tea outgrowers

Eng Rwakasanga’s vision extended to advocating for tea outgrowers (farmers who grow tea but do not process it).

As a founding member and Vice Chairman of the Uganda Tea Outgrowers Association (UTOA), he faced fierce opposition from entrenched stakeholders but stood firm.

His contributions included drafting UTOA’s constitution and governance norms, mobilising grassroots support for collective representation.

Advocating for smallholder inclusion in national agricultural policies, culminating in UTOA’s engagement with H.E. The President in August 2025, where farmer concerns were elevated to the highest levels of government.

His work with UTOA, alongside founding Chairman Onesimus Matsiko, cemented a platform for smallholders to influence Uganda’s tea industry.

Tributes pour in

The tea fraternity and beyond expressed profound grief at Eng Rwakasanga’s passing. Edison Musiime Batuna (Former Board Member Igara), shared, “I am so sorry about the loss of Eng Gershom Rwakasanga, rest in peace (RIP), my friend. Your presence may be gone, but your memories will be etched in my heart. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. May your soul rest in peace, and may the memories we shared bring a smile to my face when I think of you.”

Emmanuel Turyatemba, UTOA board member representing greater Kabale, said Engineer Rwakasnga has been helping them as a newly tea-growing region to ensure that they also sit at one table with other regions which planted tea in the early 60’s to discuss the tea business.

Maureen Komugisha, a UTOA board representative for Bunyoro, said, “On behalf of Bunyoro team UTOA we are really sad once again for the sad death of Eng Rwakasanga. He has been a person for Uganda tea out growers, supporting us in Bunyoro sub-region, where there's no competition of tea processors. It is UTOA, where he was a vice chairperson, that is setting up a platform for negotiations between processors and outgrowers. May his soul rest in peace, and the Almighty Lord comfort his family.”

Canon Dr Apollo Buzaare, UTOA Chairman, shared, “What a loss to the family and the nation at large! May the Lord comfort the family in their grief. RIP Gershom.”

Silver Atwooki Kasoro, a colleague, noted, “I’m so surprised and grieved to learn of the sudden death of Engineer Gershom. The Almighty comfort his family and the entire Tea Fraternity.”

Dick Dunstan Turinawe reflected, “Yet another reminder of how deceptive our bodies, made of flesh and blood, are… Gershom, RIP.”

Arrangements

Monday, October 13, 2025

Funeral service at All Saints Cathedral at 2:00pm and Vigil at his home in Bujjuko, Nansana from 6:00pm.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Body leaves Kampala to Nyakitoko Buhweju District at 6:00am, then service at St. John's Church of Uganda Nyakitoko at 3:00pm and then vigil at his home in Kibarya village Nyakitoko Buhweju district at 6:00pm.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Funeral service and burial starting at 11:00am.