Dr. Robert Mugabi

Team lead

Email: mugabi2011@gmail.com

Robert Mugabi is a Food Engineer, Food Scientist with a B.Sc in Chemical and Process Engineering (University of Dar Es Salaam- 2005), M.Sc in Food Process Engineering (University of New South Wales - 2012 ), and a PhD in Food Science & Technology (with a minor in Statistics) (University of Nebraska-Lincoln - 2017). He has served Makerere University since 2010. He is currently a Senior Lecturer and teaches courses in Food-Process and Preservation, Food-Process Engineering, Dairy Science, and Fats and Oils Technology. His major research interests are in Food Engineering/Processing, functional foods, Value‐added processing of agricultural commodities, effects of processing on food quality and food safety, and Process control of food processing operations. He is a Technical Committee Member for standards development at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and has participated in the edible oilseeds, fats and oils, and nutrition and foods for special dietary uses committees. He is also a country member for Uganda on the Codex Electronic Working Group (CCFA54- food additives). He has taken part in the review of the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) Guidelines 2020 technical team and was also a technical member of the team to review the Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan (ASSP) 2015/16-2019/20. He has won 4 research grants worth 110,000 USD both as PI and Co-PI. He has published 25 original peer-reviewed journal papers. With over 100 citations on Google Scholar and an h-index of 7. He is a reviewer for several journals in Food Science. He is an external examiner of theses from universities in Uganda and East Africa. He has mentored several students including 19 graduate students (18 MSc and 1 PhD).

Mr. Ntaate Denis

Food safety expert

Email: ntaatedenis@gmail.com

Ntaate Denis is a Food safety expert, FoSCU. He has over 10 years of experience in the food industry. He executes and delivers results at a higher level and provides solutions to meet individual client needs. Over the years, Mr. Ntaate has contributed and guided food product development, food safety audits, developing food traceability systems and the design of food plant facilities in conformity to regulatory requirements. His meticulous attention to detail and leadership has consistently helped K-FoSC gain a reputation in the industry as a leader in the provision of top-quality food safety services, giving clients added assurance every step of the way. He has BSc in Food Science and Technology (MUK), and Masters of science in Food Safety and Quality Management from Makerere University.

Ms. Esther Kusuro

Food Safety and Nutrition Expert

Email: kusuesta@gmail.com

Esther is the Food Safety and Nutrition Expert, K-FoSC. She has over 10 years of experience in the food industry. Esther is a Food Safety Specialist with valuable expertise in project management and Nutrition, with over 8 years of experience in the design, implementation and coordination of multi-sectoral food security and nutrition programs in Uganda. Among the projects successfully implemented include; the World Bank’s Uganda Multi-Sectoral Food Security and Nutrition Project (UMFSNP) and USAID’s Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance Project II (FANTA). Through advocacy, stakeholder engagement, collaborative learning and knowledge generation, She has contributed to transforming Uganda’s food system to deliver safe and nutritious food for all through participation in policy development, capacity building and strengthening the food safety landscape at different levels. She has a BSc in Human Nutrition (MUK), a Master of Science in Food Safety and Quality Management (MUK), Masters in Management Studies (UMI), and a Post graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management.

Janis Ainake

Standards expert

Email: janis.ainake@unbs.go.ug

Janis Ainake’s wealth of knowledge lies in Food Safety Management Systems and Quality management Systems. Her role in the Uganda National Bureau of Standards has honed her skills in auditing, standards development, interpretation and implementation. Partnering with start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises through initiatives like the Private Sector Foundation Uganda project, Janis has provided valuable guidance on facility layout, product quality standards, hygiene protocols and HACCP integration. Her efforts have led to improved food safety and adherence to standards in the maize milling and bakery industries. She has also worked with private organisations like Biyinzika Poultry International Limited and Yalelo (U) to achieve their regional quality marks and to implement their FSMS. Janis holds a BSc in Biochemistry and Chemistry (Makerere University, Uganda) along with an MSc in Aquaculture (Ghent University, Belgium).

Kamanda Godfrey

Phytosanitary Specialist

Email: gkatarekwa@gmail.com

Godfrey Kamanda is a highly motivated and results-oriented Agriculture Development Expert with over nine years of experience in project management and implementation. He has worked extensively with the Government of Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), focusing on improving livelihoods through vegetable and fruit production, climate-smart agriculture, postharvest management, and food safety. His expertise extends to designing project monitoring and evaluation frameworks for donor-funded projects and managing natural resources. Godfrey collaborates with various stakeholders, including district local governments and international development organizations such as USAID and JICA. His work aims to enhance Uganda's Export potential through strengtheing national capacity to adhere to regional and international Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements. He hold a Masters of Science Horticulture (Crop Production) - Japan International Cooperation Agency University of Essex United Kingdom, BSc Ethnobotany (Natural Resource Management) - Makerere University Kampala Uganda, Certificate in Market Oriented Agriculture - Japan International Cooperation Agency and a Certificate in Postharvest Technology for Uganda - Chinese Academy of Agriculture and Mechanization (CAAMS)