The Uganda Tea industry is 100% privately owned. Tea is grown on estates (big plantations) by about 55% and smallholders by 45%.

Currently there are 28 factories processing tea for the international market. These are owned by 17 companies and individuals 4 of which are smallholder association companies owning 5 tea processing factories. All the 17 companies/entities each, exports its own processed tea to the international market under its brand name. They are all members of the Uganda Tea Association (UTA)

UTA is a voluntary registered organization limited by guarantee, coordinating and advocating for the interests of members. It is a member of the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), under which the Mombasa Tea Auction is conducted. She is also a member of the international Tea Committee (ITC).