Home to the World’s New Vanilla Supply Chain
Vanilla Vida has established Uganda as 'home base' for growing a global, resilient supply of natural vanilla.
Why Uganda
Uganda offers one of the strongest foundations for building natural vanilla supply at scale: the right climate and growing conditions, a developed and collaborative ecosystem of government, NGO and market players, and established infrastructure.
African Advantage
Uganda’s location in Africa provides the benefits of both tropical climate and ability to construct controlled
environments – a model that can be transferred and scaled. This makes the region optimal for growing,
curing and breeding new strains and stable, resilient supplies of vanilla beans
People and Ecosystem
Beyond climate, Uganda offers the local relationships and operating ecosystem needed to build this site well-from growers and local teams to public and implementation partners who help support execution, capability-building, and long-term growth.
Uganda in our 3-Hub model
Uganda is a core part of Vanilla Vida’s 3-hub model. Israel develops and validates the model, Uganda brings it into live operations, and the Netherlands connects it to the market.
An integrated site where the model comes together
The Uganda site brings together the core parts of our model - cultivation, indoor curing, quality routines, training, and infrastructure - and translates five years of development in Israel into commercial execution on the ground.
Controlled growing conditions for consistent vanilla cultivation.
A structured curing process designed for greater consistency after harvest.
Quality is managed through clear checkpoints and batch-level
Defined routines and hands-on training that turn daily work into reliable execution.
Infrastructure built to support stable operations and commercial supply readiness.
From first-phase build-out to commercial scale-up
The Uganda site is being built in clear stages, starting with the first-phase greenhouse and curing facility and moving into commercial operation in 2026. Planting of 1.5 hectares from tissue culture is planned in the coming weeks, with expansion to 6 net hectares of greenhouse cultivation targeted for 2027.
Next
Scaling commercial capacity
Commercial operation begins in 2026, followed by expansion to 6 net hectares of greenhouse cultivation and tens of tons of natural vanilla.
Now
Moving into live operations
Fit-out, equipment installation, training, and the planting of 1.5 hectares from tissue culture are now underway.
Done
The foundation is in place
Site secured, core infrastructure established, and first operating routines in place.
The Team bringing the site to life
Uganda Managment Team
Tina Byaruhanga
Stakeholder & Ecosystem Engagement Manager
Tina Byaruhanga brings experience in stakeholder engagement, communications, and relationship-building across institutions and communities. Her background supports partnership development, local engagement, and broader ecosystem connectivity. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Singapore
Joan Rukundo
Human Resource Manager
Joan Rukundo brings a strong human resources background shaped by experience in international companies operating in Uganda. Her professional foundation includes employee relations, HR administration, compliance, and organizational support, with a focus on building effective and well-managed workplace environments. She holds a bachelor's degree in human resource management from the Islamic University in Uganda.
Lilian Kakai Naume
Accounts & Finance Manager
Lilian Kakai Naume brings a solid professional background in accounting, finance, and compliance. Her experience includes financial reporting, financial controls, and the disciplined management of core financial processes. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Kyambogo University.
Mujuni Ahamad
Curing Leader
Mujuni Ahamad brings a technical and operational background that supports disciplined production processes, quality control, and continuous improvement. His experience combines hands-on execution with process-oriented thinking, contributing to efficient and well-managed operational environments. He holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and management from Kyambogo University.
Tonny Odong
Assistant Agronomist
Tonny Odong brings an academic and practical background in agriculture, with experience supporting greenhouse operations and crop development. His work reflects a strong grounding in agronomic practice, plant care, and day-to-day agricultural execution. He holds a bachelor's degree in Agricultural and Rural Innovation from Makerere University.
Esther Logose Nangholya
Quality Assurance Manager
Esther Logose Nangholya brings valuable experience in quality assurance, operational compliance, and continuous improvement. Her background combines a strong understanding of quality systems with a disciplined approach to process excellence and product standards. She holds a bachelor's degree in food science and technology from Makerere University.
Advisory council
Dr. Robooni Tumuhimbise
Policy & Research Director, National Agricultural Research Laboratories — Kawanda, NARO
Dr. Robooni Tumuhimbise brings deep agricultural research and national policy perspective to Vanilla Vida’s Uganda Advisory Council. As Director at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories — Kawanda, under NARO, he is closely connected to Uganda’s national research infrastructure and applied agricultural innovation. His background in plant breeding and crop research adds valuable scientific depth to the Council. His role aligns Vanilla Vida Uganda’s operations with local agronomic knowledge, research priorities, and long-term sector development.
Maclina Birungi
Climate Action and Community Empowerment Specialist
Maclina Birungi brings a strong climate action, sustainability, and community empowerment perspective to Vanilla Vida’s Uganda Advisory Council. Her background spans communication on issues related to climate, environmental sustainability and community-oriented action. She contributes an important next-generation voice, with a focus on how climate and community considerations can be translated into practical work. Her role helps keep sustainability, inclusion, and community value central to Vanilla Vida’s growth story in Uganda.
Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula
Academic & Agronomy Senior Lecturer & Head, Department of Agricultural Production — Makerere University
Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula brings strong academic, agronomic, and crop science expertise to Vanilla Vida’s Uganda Advisory Council. As Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Agricultural Production at Makerere University, she contributes a research-based understanding of agricultural systems, crop production, plant health, and field-level practice. Her background strengthens the council’s ability to support disciplined, science-informed agricultural development. Her perspective is especially valuable as Vanilla Vida builds a model that depends on consistency, quality, and local agronomic relevance.
Dr. Colin Agabalinda
Inclusive & Rural Finance Climate Adaptation Specialist; Lecturer, Makerere University Business School
Dr. Colin Agababalinda brings expertise in inclusive finance, rural finance, and climate adaptation to Vanilla Vida’s Uganda Advisory Council. His work focuses on the financial systems and practical mechanisms that can support farmers, rural communities, and climate-resilient development. As a lecturer at Makerere University Business School, he adds both academic and applied perspective on how agricultural growth can be supported by access to finance and stronger local economic systems. His contribution helps connect Vanilla Vida’s scale-up with broader questions of climate resilience and sustainable investment.
Sam Ssennyimba
Agri-Finance & Impact Agriculture Finance & Impact Investing — Gates Foundation
Samuel Ssennyimba brings indepth agribusiness and impact investing perspectives to Vanilla Vida’s Uganda Advisory Council. His background connects agricultural development with investment thinking, helping assess how scalable models can create both commercial and social value. He contributes insight into the financing, partnerships, and impact structures needed to support long-term agricultural growth. His role helps ensure that Vanilla Vida’s Uganda operation is viewed not only as a production site, but as a platform for responsible value addition to the ecosystem.
Evas Mugisa Orland
Community & Inclusion Founder, EMO Foundation; Proprietor, Extreme Adventure Park Busika
Evas Mugisa Orland brings deep local knowledge, community trust and social insight to Vanilla Vida’s Uganda Advisory Council. As Founder of EMO Foundation and Proprietor of Extreme Adventure Park Busika, she is closely connected to the Busika area and to local community needs. Her experience adds a grounded understanding of inclusion with a focus on youth and women empowerment as well as community engagement. Her role helps ensure that Vanilla Vida’s growth in Uganda remains connected to local relationships, long-term trust, and meaningful community value.
Built with local partnership and shared execution.
Vanilla Vida’s work in Uganda is shaped by collaboration across government, industry, and local ecosystem partners. These relationships help move execution forward, strengthen local capabilities, and root the project in local knowledge, trust, and long-term shared value.
