Our Team
Prof. Samuel Baker Kucel
Board Chairperson/ Operations and Logistics Partner
Phone: 0772302157
Email: sbkucel@gmail.com
Prof. Samuel B. Kucel, Engineer and Educationist with 28+ years’ experience in academia, holds advanced degrees in mechanical engineering and energetics; he served as Dean and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Busitema University, sat on national and regional science boards, supervised 70+ students, and brings invaluable expertise in engineering design to develop innovative agricultural machinery that boosts efficiency and reduces drudgery.
Dr. Sammy Olal
Technical and Subject Matter Parter
Phone: 0772366792
Email: sammyolal2000@yahoo.com
Dr. Sammy Olal, Biotechnologist with 30+ years in agricultural R&D at NaCORI/NARO, holds advanced degrees in molecular biology and biotechnology plus specialized certifications; he played a pivotal role in developing CWD-resistant coffee varieties, revived cocoa and tea industries, pioneered disease detection and surveillance technologies, advanced marker-assisted breeding, promoted coffee in new regions through farmer field schools, and has lectured and supervised students at Kyambogo University for over 15 years.
Dr. Richard Acaye
Vice-Chairperson/ Finance and Business Development Partner
Phone: 0772602851
Email: racaye@yahoo.com
Dr. Richard Acaye, Development Economist with 25+ years of international experience, holds advanced degrees in agriculture, development management, and public policy; he has worked with UN agencies, NGOs, and the Red Cross across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, specializing in food security, cash transfer and social protection programming, humanitarian coordination, and market systems development—bringing invaluable expertise to agricultural production and marketing strategies in northern Uganda.
Dr. Nicholas D. Olango
Community/Outreach Partner
Phone: 0784929000
Email: olangonicholas@gmail.com
Dr. Nicolas Olango, Plant Pathologist with over 10 years in agricultural R&D at NaCRRI and NaCORI, holds advanced degrees in crop science and plant pathology plus specialized certifications; he has led innovations in managing coffee diseases, contributed to CWD-resistant varieties, advanced climate-smart agriculture in coffee systems, trained farmers and extension workers nationwide, and helped develop commercial disease-resistant bean varieties.
Mr Patrick Kucel
Managing Partner/ Board Secretary
Phone: 0772609772
Email: patkucel@gmail.com
He is a seasoned entomologist with 30+ years in agricultural R&D, holding advanced degrees and certifications across crop science, pest management, and climate-smart agriculture; he revived Uganda’s coffee, cocoa, oil palm, and tea entomology research, drove industry recoveries post-war, boosted national production, pioneered pest-control innovations like the NARO-BCTB Trap, and led international collaborations on bio-control, making him a pivotal figure in Uganda’s agricultural transformation.
