Integrity & accountability
We respect humanity and act with integrity, ethics, and accountability.
Institutional background
From PIBID to BIRDC
BIRDC grew from a public banana industrialisation initiative into a Uganda institution for food science, Tooke processing, farmer training, and market development.
Our Vision
A banana research and business development centre for value-added products from Uganda.
Our Mission
To support farmer-focused banana industrial development through practical research, processing, training, and public-private partnerships.
Our evolution
How BIRDC came to be
In 2005, the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) was established to advance banana research and industrial uses for Uganda's banana crop. That government-backed research programme became the foundation for BIRDC.
Today, the Banana Industrial Research and Development Center (BIRDC) operates a semi-automated banana processing factory in Bushenyi, with a stated capacity of 140 tonnes of fresh matooke daily for banana flour and shelf-stable matooke products.
Under the leadership of Rev. Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga, a Professor of Food Science and Technology, BIRDC has built local, East African, European, and Middle Eastern market pathways for banana-based products.
Historic milestone
The official launch
Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero launches the BIRDC Commercialisation of the Banana Value Chain
Leadership
Our Director General
Rev. Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga
Director General, BIRDC
A Professor of Food Science and Technology, Rev. Prof. Muranga has dedicated her career to banana research and the industrial and commercial use of Uganda's green banana.
Under her leadership, BIRDC has grown from a pilot initiative into a nationally significant agro-processing institution with international market exposure.
Her pioneering work in food science has established the scientific foundation for the Tooke brand and the banana value chain in Uganda.
What drives us
Core values
Strong partnerships
We build and nurture strong stakeholder partnerships.
Ownership & responsibility
We take ownership and act responsibly.
Passion for success
We pursue individual and collective success, recognition, and reward.
Team spirit
We encourage team spirit and nurture team development.