About AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA

Youth-led agricultural innovation from the heart of Rwanda's Northern Province since 2019.

2019 Founded

Our story

The entrepreneurial mindset of fresh graduates from UR-CAVM united to look for sustainable solutions to Rwanda's agricultural and environmental challenges.

AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA Ltd was founded in 2019 by graduates of the University of Rwanda — College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UR-CAVM). Facing the choice between employment and entrepreneurship, the team chose to solve real community problems through evidence-based innovation.

Market-oriented research became the pulling power to revamp agribusiness with proven technology. From Pomato research to Kilimo Trust partnerships, AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA is building a lasting legacy for Rwanda's smallholder farmers.

30000+ Farmers reached

1000+ youth supported

8+ Years of impact

Vision

To be a youth-led innovation hub in Rwanda that empowers farmers to be healthy and wealthy through transformative agricultural technology.

Mission

Promoting a research culture and green extension services that connect evidence-based innovation directly to the farms and communities that need it most.

Core Values

Integrity
Curiosity
Resilience
Consistency
Teamwork

People behind the mission

Researchers, extensionists, advisors and operators driving agricultural transformation across Rwanda.

Management Team

Senior leadership steering strategy, operations, and organizational growth.

3 members

Karangwa Alexis

Chief Executive Officer

Provides strategic leadership, partnership development, and organizational governance. Oversees all research and extension programs across Rwanda.

MSc Agribusiness Management

Mukamana Diane

Finance & Operations Director

Manages financial planning, budgets, donor reporting, and operational efficiency across all field programs and research sites.

BSc Accounting & Finance, UR

Nshimiyimana Patrick

Director of Research Programs

Oversees research design, data collection standards, and the dissemination of agricultural innovation findings across Northern Province.

MSc Plant Breeding, Wageningen

Board of Directors

Providing governance, accountability, and long-term strategic direction.

3 members

Dr. Habimana Robert

Board Chairperson

Senior agriculture policy expert with 20+ years in Rwanda's agricultural sector. Former Director at MINAGRI, specializing in market linkage and cooperative development.

PhD Agricultural Economics, Makerere University

Uwimana Grace

Non-Executive Director

Financial governance expert and entrepreneur. Extensive experience in social enterprise investment, organizational accountability, and smallholder value chain finance.

MBA Finance, University of Nairobi

Rurangwa Jean-Paul

Non-Executive Director

Development sector leader with expertise in donor-funded agricultural projects across East Africa. Former program officer at Kilimo Trust and GIZ Rwanda.

MSc Development Studies, University of Leeds

Our Team

Researchers, field extensionists, and ICT specialists at the front lines of agricultural innovation.

11 members

Mugabo Jean Pierre

Lead Researcher & Co-Founder

Specialist in market-oriented crop research and grafting technology. Leads the Pomato and post-harvest innovation programs.

BSc Crop Science, UR-CAVM

Uwimana Clarisse

Extension Services Coordinator

Coordinates farmer training programs across Musanze and Nyabihu districts. Expert in climate-smart agricultural practices.

BSc Animal Sciences, UR-CAVM

Nzabanita Eric

ICT & Digital Agriculture Officer

Develops digital advisory platforms and smart farming tools for resource-limited smallholder farmers across Northern Rwanda.

BSc Veterinary Medicine, UR-CAVM

Kamana Celestine

Field Agronomist

Manages on-farm demonstration plots in Musanze district. Specializes in grafting techniques and climate-resilient variety trials.

BSc Agronomy, UR-CAVM

Abdu Usanase

Managing Director

Violette Niyigena

General Secretary

Samuel Nsengiyumva

Research and Innovation Director

Theodore Twambazimana

Extension Director

Gilbert Benimana

ICT Director

Alexandre Shaban Munyarugamba

Director of Finance

Innocent Nizeyimana

Marketing Manager

Advisory Board

Academic, market, and technology experts guiding our research agenda and strategic direction.

3 members

Prof. Ndayisaba Celestin

Senior Research Advisor

Professor of Crop Sciences at UR-CAVM. Guides research with expertise in varietal development and soil fertility management for Rwanda's highland zones.

PhD Soil Science, Ghent University

Dr. Kansiime Monica

Market Systems Advisor

Senior Scientist at IITA. Deep expertise in market systems development, gender-inclusive agricultural value chains, and smallholder enterprise growth.

PhD Agricultural Economics, IITA

Ingabire Solange

ICT & Innovation Advisor

Digital transformation specialist scaling AgriTech solutions across Sub-Saharan Africa. Advises on tech adoption frameworks and digital readiness assessments.

MSc Information Systems, CMU Africa

Affiliated Experts

Specialist partners and collaborating scientists contributing technical expertise to our programs.

3 members

Dr. Ndikumana Thomas

Soil & Agronomy Expert

Provides technical guidance on soil health assessment, compost technology, and regenerative agriculture practices in Rubavu district.

PhD Agronomy, Wageningen University

Mukagatare Yvette

Post-Harvest Technology Expert

Specialist in Irish potato processing, storage innovation, and value addition. Contributed to the Inyamibwa Irish Potato Bread development.

MSc Food Science & Technology, UR

Tuyishime Blaise

Climate-Smart Agriculture Expert

Leads climate-resilient farming research, designing mitigation strategies for altitude-dependent crops in Rwanda's Northern Province.

MSc Climate Change & Agriculture, UR