Prof. Charles Kwesiga
Executive Director
Professor Charles Kwesiga is the Executive Director of Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI). An Industrial Engineer by profession, Charles Kwesiga has significant experience as a corporate manager, management consultant, educator, and entrepreneur.
As Executive Director he oversees the Institute’s activities that include: technology transfer; technology diffusion; process and product development; business incubation; contract engineering services and applied R&D.
Highly regarded by his peers and other professionals, Professor Kwesiga’s other extra-curricular activities include the following:
- President of WAITRO (World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations), an association of 160 member institutions from 70 countries. Focus of the association is to create synergies between its members in their work as Research and Technological Organisations, President from Jan 2015 to Dec 2016
- Pioneered the building of Uganda Petroleum Institute, Kigumba (UPIK), as Chairman of a Special Task Force (March 2009 – Nov 2016)
- Senior Presidential Advisor (on retainer) for Scientific Innovations, Uganda Government.
- Member of Board of Control of the Senior Command and Staff College Kimaka (SCSC) of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF). Prof Kwesiga is also a member of teaching staff.
- Member and Vice Chairman of the Board for National Enterprises Corporation (NEC), a business arm of UPDF.
- Chairman, Board of Governors, Ntare School.
Under Prof Kwesiga leadership UIRI was voted a Centre of Excellence in R&D for East African Community (EAC).
JOANITA ORISHABA (BFST, MSC, MBA)
Director of Industrial Production Systems
Ms. Joanita Orishaba is the Director of Industrial Production Systems at Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), the youngest in UIRI’s Management Team and the first female to hold that position. Ms. Orishaba joined UIRI as a junior researcher and worked her way up to earn a seat at the C-Suite table. Her expertise spans the entire industrial production cycle from ideation through to commercialization.
Joanita has a solid educational background and has always displayed exceptional academic prowess. She holds three First Class Degrees and is an alumnus of five institutions of good repute: University of Oslo - Norway, Stellenbosch University - South Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI) -Arusha, Makerere University –Uganda, and Gayaza High School.
As a Ugandan female scientist with over 13 years of experience in industrialization and allied activities, her contributions to Uganda’s industrialization and the scientific community have earned her recognition and respect. In 2020, she was selected by H.E. Y.K. Museveni as a core member of the NRM Manifesto drafting committee in his pursuit of a science-led economy.
Joanita possesses great business acumen and a keen understanding of the business landscape. This quality has served her well in her role of ensuring that research outcomes have practical applications and commercial relevance.
With an unwavering dedication to excellence, Joanita's legacy is one of inspiring future generations of scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, and making a lasting impact on society through science. Her expertise, relentless drive, and transformative leadership have created an indelible mark, inspiring future generations of executives to dare, dream, and drive lasting impact.
Mr. Ratibu Asuman
Director of Product Development
Mr. Ratibu Asuman is the Director of Product Development at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute. Prior to that, he was the Quality manager of UIRI’s Analytical chemistry laboratory. He also worked with British American Tobacco Uganda (BAT) Leaf processing plant in the Quality Assurance department as an Analyst.
Asuman holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA, operations management) from UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (Spain), a Master of Business Administration (MBA, operations management) from ISBAT University, and a Bachelor of Science Technology, Chemistry from Kyambogo University.
Asuman is a highly accomplished and results-oriented Director of Product Development with over 23 years of experience providing strategic, and operational leadership including an extensive background in Research and Development, Analytical Chemistry, Quality Assurance, Product Development, Food fortification, Business/Project operations, and Production management. He sets and evolves the strategic direction for the Product Development department while nurturing a strong team of scientists to drive its execution.
Over the past 2 decades, Mr Asuman has registered the following achievements;
- UIRI Analytical laboratories (Chemistry and Microbiology) are recognized by UNBS. This indicates that the laboratories are competent and effective in performing tests as per the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
- UIRI Chemistry laboratory is a regional coordinating laboratory for the East Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) healthy community proficiency testing scheme (PTS) for the analysis of micronutrients in fortified foods.
- Successfully domesticated a wild anti-cancer medicinal mushroom called Ganoderma lucidum from the wild, now production of its value-added products like powders, oil, capsules, tablets, soaps, toothpaste, and human hair shampoos is in progress.
- Establishment of 12 textile skills development and production centers in Uganda.
- Developed and produced reusable (non-medical) masks with an efficiency of 93.4% as an intervention to prevent COVID-19.
- Established a state-of-the-art textile Materials and polymer testing Laboratory and a modern Garment manufacturing facility at Namanve.
- Developed 30 incubated businesses in food production (wine, potato, peanut butter, flour, and juices) and cosmetic production (namely: Livara, Amagara, and Itoto).
Mr Asuman Ratibu is a member of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) International which provides the platform, processes, and scientific rigor that enable industry and regulators to keep our food and environment safe.
