Our Team

Dr. Ananias Bagumire: He has over 27 years of experience working on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, Food safety, Standardization, Metrology, Conformity Assessment and Accreditation (SMCA); and trade development programmes. Throughout his professional career he has provided technical support and developed the capacity of public institutions and private enterprises to meet the SPS and SMCA requirements for cross-border trade in domestic, regional and international markets. He has performed similar or related assignments, some as Team Leader, In Uganda and in several Eastern, Southern and Western African countries. He has variously supported projects that develop capacity for mandated SPS control institutions and private sector enterprises to institute measures that guarantee and improve safety and quality of products to meet regional and international markets requirements.

His recent related works include working as Team Leader for an assignment undertaken by Food Safety Associates Limited on behalf of USAID Feed the Future Inclusive Agriculture Markets Activity (FtF IAM) for developing the capacity of the Cereal Processors to achieve certification for the national standards in Uganda, where he trained industry operators to implement good hygiene, good manufacturing practices and implementation of national and regional standards for cereal and cereal derived products. He also conducted an assignment as Team Leader for TMEA through NIRAS Kenya and Uganda, where he led a Team of experts to develop/revise SPS control Procedures, guidelines and Protocols for four Agro-food competent authorities in Kenya (fisheries, Horticulture, Cereal Grain and Milk and Dairy Products). He also worked as a Food Conformity and Trade Specialist on the Team Europe Initiatives (TEI) in Liberia where he worked with the private sectors and public sector to identify the SPS needs and recommend the necessary intervention by the TEI Programme for 2021-2027. He has worked as Standardization and SPS Expert on the TMEA/SIDA-funded Quality Infrastructure and Standards Programme (QUISP) and the EU-funded Economic Partnership Agreement and Trade Related Private Sector Support Programme (EPA TAPSS) in Uganda, where among others he trained inspectors and prepared inspection procedures’ manual for the SPS regulatory bodies among other activities performed under these two projects. He also conducted several assignments as team leader in many countries, including Uganda where he trained inspection staff and private sector managers in SPS management and control on various projects.

Dr. Ananias is knowledgeable in standards harmonization in the region, having served as the Regional Coordinator for the UNIDO-NORAD Trade Capacity Building for Agro-industry Products programme in the EAC; Standards and SPS Compliance Expert on Strengthening of Fisheries Products Health Conditions (SFP) in Anglo-phone West Africa (Deputy Team Leader) in Anglophone West Africa; And also as a Counterpart for the same SFP Programme in East Africa;  and co-chair of the EAC-COMESA-SADC Tripartite team of experts for the development of the SPS Annex to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement and SPS work programme for the three Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
He holds PhD in Food Safety and International Trade where he specialized in Food Safety Legislations (standards and regulations) in International Trade that act as obstacles for products from developing countries to access the prime markets in developed countries.

He has worked extensively on assignments aimed to improve food safety and SPS control and management systems across Africa and beyond. He has developed several standards and SPS instruments to regulate good practices in different agro-food value chains including Horticulture and Grain. He has also developed several codes of good practices used by producers at all stages in the production, value and supply chains including export supply chain. He has supported institutional capacity development to guarantee safety and quality of products and produce under the control of the different competent authorities.  He is a Regular Trainer in SPS and quality control and management where he anchors the Training Courses in food safety, animal health, plant health and standards and quality offered on scheduled basis by Food Safety Academy of the Food Safety Associates Limited. He has attended several international training courses in food safety, HACCP, risk analysis, traceability, and many others from reputable institutions in the Netherlands, UK, USA, Denmark, Austria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda

For more information a.bagumire@foodsafetyltd.com

Mr. Victor Oparo Smith is a Food Safety Expert with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology. Over the last 10 years, he has garnered vast experience in the areas of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, Quality Management, Industrial Modernization, Capacity building, Value Chain Development, Food Safety Awareness, Promotion and Advocacy. Currently, he works as a consultancy officer at Food Safety Associates Limited where he provides SPS and food safety technical support to the agri-food sub-sector and developing the capacity of agriculture value chain actors and Food Business Operators in both public institutions and private enterprises to meet the requirements of domestic, regional and international trade. He has made significant contributions to the private sector of Uganda, having trained several District Commercial Officers and MSMEs in Good Hygiene Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, HACCP, value addition, fortification, supply chain management, mitigating negative impacts of food processing on the environment, food trade and marketing to meet requirements to achieve product certification. Some of his notable achievements include among others;

• Coordinating the design of an Inclusive Business Plan for Newman Foods Limited, to identify commercially viable opportunities to improve its raw material supply of Gonja(plantain) and Irish potatoes to drive its commercial growth and provide socioeconomic benefits to its suppliers.
• Providing technical support to 25 agroprocessors in the resilience zones of Karamoja, Palabek, Rwamwanja and Nakivale for oilseed, cereal and honey value chains under the USAID Feed the Future Project, to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Delivering technical support to 33 fresh fruits and vegetables cottage industries in Central, Eastern and Western Uganda towards UNBS product certification, under the Technoserve HortiMap project
• Educating and training farmers and cooperatives in quality control, assessment of quality of foods procured and planned for purchase, and liaising with Rwanda Bureau of Standards to test and certify food samples as a Quality Control Assistant, under the World Food Programme in Kigali, Rwanda
• Providing Quality Control and Assurance services as a Quality Manager for Bimbo Bakeries (U) Limited and an Operations Supervisor for Better Health (U) Limited

Mr. Victor O. Smith envisions a collaborative approach to food safety that aligns with the goals of development partners and funders. Through capacity-building initiatives and advocacy programs, he aims to create sustainable solutions that enhance food safety awareness across Africa’s agricultural landscape. His unwavering dedication to promoting food safety awareness positions him as an ideal partner for development organizations looking to make a meaningful impact in the agricultural sector. His expertise not only seeks to support compliance with food safety standards but also to foster economic growth and resilience among local communities.

For more information (v.smith@foodsafetyltd.com)

Abigaba Biconco Tryphine is a value chain, food safety, SPS, product development, value addition, industry upgrading and trade facilitation specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Food Safety and Quality Management. With over six years of professional experience, she has developed extensive expertise in food safety and quality management, trade development and facilitation, agriculture value chain analysis and development, SPS measures and standards compliance, product development and value addition, industry upgrading, project planning and management, data collection and analysis and report writing.

As a consultancy officer at Food Safety Associates Limited, she has provided technical support to the food sector and developed the capacity of agriculture value chain operators both in public institutions and in private enterprises to meet the requirements of international trade. She is well conversant with regional and international trade having participated in several projects on WTO TBT and SPS agreements. Her notable achievements include:

• Mentored and coached over 300 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across various value chains (cereal, honey, oil seed, fruits and vegetables) in different regions in Uganda to attain UNBS certification in order to increase access to premium markets
• Provided technical support to the African Union in the development of the implementation plan for the Food Safety Strategy for Africa (FSSA)
• Mentored and coached over 20 local consultancy service providers to be able to provide consultancy services to the SMEs in the different regions in Uganda
• Built the capacity of SPS competent authorities, inspectors at border posts and economic actors to facilitate trade
• Conducted a comprehensive assessment for SPS system in East African Community (EAC)
• Developed guidelines for the processing, extraction and trading of Nile Perch maws in East Africa
• Conducted a deep dive study on food safety standards for 15 projects within DFID’s commercial agriculture portfolio worldwide
• Reviewed and updated National Chemical Residue Monitoring and Control Plan and developed guidelines for implementation of the Residue Monitoring Program for the Beef industry in Uganda
• Conducted a Regulatory Impact Assessment for livestock identification and traceability system, animal feeds development and meat development in Uganda

She also has industrial experience in quality control and quality assurance roles at Crown Beverages Limited and Bidco Uganda Limited where she gained skill in quality assurance standards, food analysis and product development and implementing quality management systems to enhance product safety and consistency. Her diverse experience across public and private sectors positions her as skilled professional capable of driving impactful change in food safety and quality management, trade development, and agriculture value chain enhancement.

For more information (f.abigaba@foodsafetyltd.com)

Vanessa Aleni Obaa is a dedicated food safety professional with a strong background in Food Science and Quality Assurance. With a first-class degree in Food Science and Technology from Makerere University, she has worked in a number of food industries notably the coffee industry, the juice and yoghurt processing industry, the bakery industry in different positions where she has garnered over five years of experience in providing Quality Control, Quality Assurance and employee training services.

Currently serving as a Food Safety Consultant and Projects Assistant at Food Safety Associates, Vanessa works closely with food industry stakeholders including farmers, food processors and food traders to provide technical assistance on compliance with recommended internationally recognised industry standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000, to enable them meet the requirements of domestic and international markets. Furthermore, through the different impactful projects undertaken by Food Safety Associates Ltd., she continues to exercise her technical expertise in the training of industry operators and schools in Good Hygiene Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices and Sanitation and Sanitization procedures necessary for production and processing of safe food.

In her previous role as a Quality Control Manager at Ntake Bakery and Company-Lira branch, she was directly responsible for the daily production of a variety of bread and confectionary products, documentation of critical parameter values of temperature and time, incoming raw material inspection, sanitation of factory premises and training of employees in Good Hygiene Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Her efforts led to significant improvements in product quality and safety as well as bakery sanitation which was evidenced by an overall reduction in the quantities of non-conforming products, increased product sales and recognition of the branch as the cleanest of the six branches.

Beyond industry experience, Vanessa has a strong research background in Food Science and Product development. Her undergraduate research project focused on developing an extruded snack from locally sourced cassava and pumpkin flour to address Vitamin A deficiency among preschool children in Uganda. Through this project, she not only aimed to tackle malnutrition particularly among marginalised communities in Uganda but also showed commitment to creating sustainable food solutions tailored to address local needs.

Through her efforts in bridging the gap between agro-value chain actors and regulatory frameworks, she hopes to contribute to building resilient and inclusive food systems in Uganda and on a global scale.

For more information v.aleni@foodsafetyltd.com

Ms. Ruth Martha Mirembe is a highly accomplished expert in food safety, quality management, standards compliance, and agro-value chain development. With a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree (with honors) in Food Science and Technology, she brings over six years of extensive experience in food safety and quality management, agro-value chain analysis, standards compliance, certification, trade, and project development and implementation.

As a Consultancy Officer at Food Safety Associates Ltd, Ms. Mirembe has provided critical technical support to the food sector, empowering value chain actors to achieve compliance and enhance their food safety and quality status. Her notable achievements include:

Certification and Capacity Building: Successfully coached and mentored 20 agro-processors in resilience zones, including Karamoja, Nakivale, Rwamwanja, and Palabek refugee settlements, to implement food safety and quality standards in raw material supply and agro-processing. This led to two processors achieving Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Q-mark certification, with nine others nearing certification.

Inclusive Business Plan (IBP) Development: Developed an IBP for Newmans Foods Limited in Uganda to expand its smallholder supply chain for potatoes and plantain (gonja) crisps while improving safety standards during production and processing.

Cottage Industry Training: Mentored over 200 fresh fruit and vegetable cottage industries in Uganda to enhance their compliance with food safety standards in preparation for UNBS certification.

Regional Food Safety Leadership: Serves on the Project Steering Committee for the East African Food Safety Project, contributing to the development of national guidelines for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHPs) for the meat and dairy industries, focusing on bovine milk and beef value chains.

Ms. Mirembe is also the Coordinator of the Food Safety Academy at Food Safety Associates, where she has trained professionals across the food industry in key areas such as:

• Hygiene in Food Business Operations
• Food Safety Management Systems (ISO 22000:2018)
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Management and Control
• Food Risk Analysis
• Prerequisite Programs, and HACCP Development and Implementation
• Implementation of Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Postharvest Handling
• Food Controls
• International Food Safety Standards and Benchmarking

In addition to her consultancy work, Ms. Mirembe has made significant contributions to food safety research. Her key research achievements include:

Peanut Innovation Lab Collaboration: Partnered with the University of Georgia (UGA), University of Tennessee (UT), Makerere University, and the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) to empower rural youth in Uganda’s Nwoya and Tororo districts involved in peanut production and processing. Using the Photovoice Community Participatory Research Technique, she captured youth perspectives on peanut safety and quality, resulting in two peer-reviewed publications with Ms. Mirembe as the corresponding author.

Educational Animations: Translated three animations on peanut management—from production to harvest, storage, and aflatoxin control—from English to Luganda. Funded by the Peanut Innovation Lab and coordinated by Purdue University under the Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) project, these animations are accessible online:

• Good Agronomic Practices for Groundnut Production
• Groundnut: Good Agricultural Practices from Harvest to Storage
• Groundnut: Preventing Aflatoxins

Ms. Mirembe’s dedication to advancing food safety and quality standards, coupled with her expertise in training, research, and industry upgrading, makes her a valuable asset to the food sector.

For more information, please contact Ms. Mirembe at m.mirembe@foodsafetyltd.com.