Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa, Crafting a New Legacy in Spirits
The story of Matugga Rum is a compelling blend of African heritage, Scottish craftsmanship, and the unwavering vision of its founders, Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa. This husband-and-wife team embarked on a journey to redefine the rum landscape, infusing it with a unique identity that celebrates their roots while embracing innovative distilling techniques.
Paul, a civil engineer by profession, and Jacine, with a background in corporate marketing, initially pursued Matugga as a side hustle. Their inspiration stemmed from Paul's Ugandan heritage and Jacine's Jamaican roots, coupled with a shared passion for rum. The name ‘Matugga’ itself holds deep personal significance, referring to a town in Uganda where Paul's family owns land.
Their inspiration stemmed from Paul's Ugandan heritage and Jacine's Jamaican roots, coupled with a shared passion for rum.
This connection to the land and its agricultural bounty is a foundational element of their brand.
Their initial foray into the rum world began in 2015, launching Matugga Rum at the London Rum Festival. At a time when UK-produced rum was a rarity, their offering, distilled from East African molasses, raised eyebrows. However, the quality of their golden and masala chai-spiced rums quickly silenced any skeptics, leading to an export deal and prompting the Rutasikwas to consider taking their passion full-time.
A pivotal trip to Martinique, where they met and learned from family distillers, solidified their decision to "go all-in." This commitment led them to relocate their family from England to Scotland, where Paul pursued formal distillation training at Heriot-Watt University. This academic rigor, combined with his innate understanding of spirits, laid the groundwork for Matugga Distillers. In 2018, they established their own distillery in Livingston, Scotland, taking full control of the production process.
The success of Matugga Rum is a powerful narrative of passion, perseverance, and a deep respect for heritage.
Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa have not only created an exceptional range of rums but have also built a business that embodies their commitment to quality, ethical sourcing, and a vision of bringing the vibrant flavours of Africa to the world, crafted with Scottish precision.
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