Who we are

A membership organisation coordinating and supporting stakeholders across Uganda's bamboo value chain

2023
Year founded
20+
Active member businesses
5
Government ministry partnerships
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This is what drives us

Making bamboo a profitable, sustainable, and widely used resource that improves livelihoods, restores landscapes, attracts investors, and positions Uganda as a relevant player to the global bamboo economy.

What we stand for

Our Values

Eight principles guiding every decision we make.

01
Transparency
Open and honest in all our operations, decisions, and communications with members and stakeholders.
02
Innovation
Constantly seeking new approaches, technologies, and ideas to grow Uganda's bamboo sector.
03
Collaboration
Stronger together — building partnerships across the value chain no single actor could achieve alone.
04
Sustainability
Balancing economic growth with long-term ecological and social responsibility.
05
Action
Moving from conversation to delivery — we test fast, learn fast, and scale what works.
06
Inclusivity
Ensuring all actors — from smallholder farmer to multinational buyer — have a seat at the table.
07
Growth
Committed to building an industry that creates lasting economic opportunity across Uganda.
08
Compliance
Operating within and actively shaping the regulatory frameworks governing Uganda's bamboo sector.

The team you're working with

Board, Management & Advisors

Governed by a diverse team with deep roots in Uganda's bamboo sector and the global industry.

Board & Management 2026
Sjaak de Bloois
Board Chair
Robert Ssemakula
General Manager
Joseph Munyangabo
Head of Policy
Robert van Kats
Strategy
Sanne Eekel
Program Management
Dr. Collin Muhumuza
Market Development
Thomas Quirynen
Market Lead Europe
Pieter Huys
Treasurer
Herwig Geenhoven
Technical Lead
Lukas den Admirant
Projects & Communications
Advisory Board
Ms Susanne Lucas
World Bamboo Organisation
Ms Trudy Muwanga
Green Building Council Uganda
Dr. Selim Reza
INBAR
Mr. Mark Mutaahi
BiD Capital Partners
Mr. Tom Okello
Ministry of Water & Environment

What the industry needs

These are the five things we're building

01
Bamboo Resource Establishment
Establishment of 100,000 acres of private plantations

  • National bamboo mapping & traceability systems

  • Seedling multiplication & nursery development

  • GAP guidelines & extension support for farmers

  • Sustainable harvesting & plantation maintenance systems

  • Innovative plantation financing models

02
Market Intelligence & Value Chain Development
Identifying Uganda's most scalable bamboo opportunities

  • National bamboo value chain analysis

  • Identification of scalable industrial bamboo products

  • Mapping local & international market opportunities

  • Matching bamboo species to commercial market demand

  • Investment and supply chain prioritisation

03
Product & Business Development
Turning bamboo into profitable products & businesses

  • Product prototyping, testing & UNBS certification

  • Product branding, promotion & export marketing

  • Trade fairs, exhibitions & B2B matchmaking

  • National awareness & behaviour change campaigns

  • Positioning bamboo as a modern green material

04
Industrial Skills & Processing Capacity
Building Uganda's bamboo workforce & industry

  • Training & skilling bamboo professionals

  • Integration into TVET & vocational systems

  • Technology transfer partnerships (China, India, BambooU)

  • Bamboo Processing Centre of Excellence

  • ISO certification & quality assurance systems

05
Policy, Coordination & Sector Enablement
Creating an enabling environment for investment & growth

  • Policy gap analysis & sector benchmarking

  • Bamboo policy drafting & regulatory development

  • Public-private sector coordination platforms

  • Advocacy & policy engagement campaigns

  • Investment facilitation & donor alignment