FTBIC Objective
FTBIC was launched in 2008 as the first of its kind in the East and Central African Region. The FTBIC's core mission is to facilitate technology development, transfer, and the nurturing of knowledge-based enterprises within the food processing and nutrition sectors, embodying a bridge between academic research and industry application. By fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, the FTBIC plays a critical role in nurturing startups and facilitating the commercialization of groundbreaking food products and technologies. This proactive approach has a profound impact on Uganda's food industry and economy, driving growth and sustainability
Scope of Activities
Research and systems development: The Food sector in Uganda is dominated by MSMEs. These do not have capacity to afford research and development services, processing facilities. The FBIC fills this gap by providing the MSMEs with such services as product development support, development of standard operating procedures, in service staff training, product quality appraisal and product certification.
Skills training and development: This service is comprised of skills training in areas of specific food processing technologies, quality and safety management, production planning and forecasting, marketing plus agro-processing equipment design and fabrication. Additionally, in collaboration with other institutions, the FTBIC runs an enterprise development program aimed at developing entrepreneurship skills. The program consists of training, coaching and mentoring. A team of practicing entrepreneurs participate in this program. The skills training and development service targets youths and women.
Food Processing Services: Using current processing lines, the FTBIC offers food processing services to different enterprises for a fee. This service helps women-led enterprises to get access to processing facilities without necessarily having to expensively own it.
Short courses in food processing and preservation: The School currently runs some short demand-driven training courses. The Centre will further develop and strengthen tailor made short training courses aimed at imparting specific knowledge and hands-on skills to participants. The short training courses will target professionals in service, students, potential entrepreneurs, farmer groups, youths, women, retired workers and others interested in acquiring particular skills in agro-processing equipment design and fabrication, food science, food technology and nutrition.
Linkages to financing for new enterprises: Financing is an obstacle to the development of new enterprises. The FTBIC links enterprises to networks of financing organization, social entrepreneurs, and venture capital for worthy MSMEs.
Ongoing Projects
The FTBIC operates a common-user food processing facility to support several incubatee enterprises. The FTBIC’s common user food processing facility consists of yoghurt, sausages, fruit juices, baking and flours processing lines. These processing lines are currently supporting 13 incubatee enterprises in addition to come-and-go user enterprises. This is achieved through following production schedules for each line to ensure a proper and smooth shared use of the processing lines. Users of the common-user-food processing facility pay a service fee which is aimed at fostering a business culture on the part of the user-enterprise but also help in meeting the costs of utilities, personnel, and equipment service and maintenance.
Success stories
The FTBIC has supported several enterprises in different ways. Some of the success stories include, but are not limited to:
Nutreal (U) Ltd, one of the leading producers of nutritious snack foods is a women-led enterprise that graduated from FTBIC’s incubation program. This company was a start-up at the inception of the FTBIC and it was able to graduate to its own premises in four years. The company currently processes several tonnes of amaranth grain per week and is credited with the promotion and transformation of the amaranth grain production in Uganda. Nutreal buys grain from several women farmers of grain amaranth.
Kisufu Bakery Ltd graduated from the FTBIC into their own processing facility where the company has continued to grow. Kisufu bakery has grown from a startup company production of 100s of loaves of bread per day and provides employment to several people.
Rena Beverages Ltd a leading producer of hibiscus range of beverages was able to acquire UNBS production certification through the FTBIC’s support service for product certification. Rena beverages is also credited as a big player in transforming and growing hibiscus into a major commercial food product on the market. Rena processes up to a tonne of hibiscus per week into different beverage products. Rena employs several people and buys raw materials from organised women farmer groups.