Menu
Richard holds a Degree in Development Studies from Makerere University in Uganda as well as a Diploma in Business Studies. He has 10 years of experience in projecting and managing social enterprises. He is enthusiastic about the development of rural Uganda thanks to sport, tourism, and agribusiness. Richard is Founder of GHC and is managing a team of professionals from different fields ranging from accountants to technicians, as well as directly assisting farmers to improve their skills and controlling the quality of the coffee at different stages of its production.
Preparing for export in 2020, Rugaya has partnered with Fiona Tanner of Noble Gorilla Foundation to bring you our coffee and our story.
Fiona’s experience in Papua New Guinea building an exporting coffee company that successfully certified 2,345 farmers in both certified organic and rainforest alliance membership and benefits in a remote rainforest community gives her the experience to lead this team in a bold new direction.
An eco-warrior at heart, Fiona is passionate about caring for farmers and caring for habitats. She leads the business strategy and brand positioning of Gorilla Highlands Coffee Association and Gorilla Highlands Coffee in establishing partnerships and dealing with new international clients. With Rugaya, she is coordinating efforts with organizations willing to support GHC Association and it’s social projects.
Her personal commitment – to SEE differently – a unique focus on Social, Environmental and Economical sustainable practices that encompass Beyond Direct Trade; Coffee for Causes; Beyond Profit and the Right Why. We invite you to join us on the adventure.
Claudine oversees the administration and production of GHC and is the power behind our “Claudine Cares” Quality program. Passionate about quality, Claudine owns the quality space and won’t let a bad bean sneak into our coffees. Other responsibilities are the supervision of GHC’s coffee production and distribution, including coffee training for farmers and coffee quality control.
In addition, she leads the Sales team and supervises the operations of the GHC field staff. As a Coffee Ambassador, she also coordinates the Coffee Clubs program in schools. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies from Kyambogo University in Uganda as well as completed her training in coffee roasting sensory and quality control.
Her home is in Kisoro District Southwest Uganda in the foothills of the Mountain Gorilla habitats.
Tress Bucyanayandi is a Ugandan agriculturalist and politician. He is the former Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in the Ugandan Cabinet.
He studied at Bukalasa Agricultural College, graduating with a Diploma in Agriculture in 1964. He was awarded with a scholarship to continue his studies in the USA where he received a Bachelor Degree in Science of Agriculture from the West Virginia University (1966) and a Masters in Science of Agriculture issued by the University of Wisconsin (1970). His discipline, understanding of the local coffee market and expertise are highly valuable for the good performing of the GHC project.
Birungi Mary is a fashion designer and works with us at Gorilla Highlands Coffee. She is also from Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda. She holds a degree in Art and Industrial design with Education from KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY in Uganda. She assists the GHC Team in Sales & Marketing.
She is looking forward to the successful launching of the House of Bwindi project in 2020.
Ignatius holds a Bachelor Degree in Commerce and Marketing (Hons) from the Makerere University of Kampala (Uganda). He is also a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) at the UK.
Ignatius is a chartered accountant and is a highly analytical and talented Financial and investment expert with 30 years’ experience, blended with strong academic credentials and a passion for investments. Ignatius’ in-depth experience includes asset allocation, preserving and growing wealth, risk management, funds selection, auditing which are of great value for the GHC long term project.
© 2023. Gorilla Highlands Coffee. All Rights Reserved.