Tobacco in Africa
Uganda’s tobacco sector, a legacy of colonial cash crops, produced over 32,000 metric tons of leaf in 2022, making it a significant player in East African agriculture. Understanding this market provides insight into the global tobacco landscape and the diverse origins of the leaf. Key Takeaways Uganda’s tobacco industry is rooted in 1927 contract farming. Flue-cured Virginia, Burley, and dark fire-cured are the main types. The Tobacco Control Act, 2015, strictly regulates production. Ugandan leaf is primarily for cigarettes, not premium cigars. Executive Summary Uganda’s tobacco industry is a long-standing agricultural sector, with commercial cultivation beginning in 1927. It has grown to become a significant export industry, producing 32,965 metric tons of tobacco leaf in 2022 according to the Tobacco Atlas. The sector is dominated by approximately 75,000 smallholder farmers operating under contract-growing schemes as detailed by ASCO Publications. These