The Team

Pauline Tiffen is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Fair Trade. She has worked actively to make trade fair for more than 30 years: as worker, company director, innovator, advisor, consultant, mentor, writer. She currently divides her time between consultancy with Verité (Fair labor. Worldwide) and advisory roles in Uganda as the Chairperson of the Rwenzori Sustainable Trade Centre, as an Advisory Board member of the Transnational Institute, Amsterdam, as Non-Executive Independent Director of Divine Chocolate, Founding Trustee of the Pluto Educational Trust and a member of the Sainsbury Foundation Advisory Board.

Rita holds a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal practice form the Law Development Centre, Diploma in Tax and Revenue Administration. She is a member of the Uganda Law Society and the East Africa Law Society.

Rita works with and for corporate entities both profit and non- profit as well as individuals. Her practice circles around corporate set up, advice on Board governance, regulatory compliance, equity financing, contract management and commercial agreements, employment and intellectual property.

Francis Gimara; the Head of ALP East Africa and an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda and all the Courts subordinate thereto.

Francis holds an LLM from Cambridge University, a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda) and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (Kampala, Uganda). He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Herriot Watt University(Edinburgh).

Francis’ primary area of focus is Regional Integration Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Corporate Governance Law and Leadership.

Francis has in the recent past served as President of the Uganda Law Society and was awarded the distinguished honor of Senior Counsel by the Chief Justice in recognition of his contribution to the development of the legal profession in Uganda

He is a member of Uganda Law Society, the East African Law Society, the Pan African Lawyers Union and the International Bar Association.

Julius is an Energy Access consultant with over ten years of experience in the same sector. He has previously worked for a European Union funded project called the Sustainable Energy Market Acceleration Project whose objective was to increase access to off grid energy solutions through the rural based financial institutions network, supported various financial institutions including two banks to introduce energy lending in their portifolios and worked as a Country Manager for a Social Enterprise that supports last mile entrepreneurs to launch successful clean energy enterprises in Uganda. Julius has also worked for four banks and has over ten years of working in the financial service sector, sales and marketing, project management and Organizational development.

Ronald joined RSTC right from its inception in November 2015 as the Board Secretary, and has since joined management as the General Manager, effective 1st March 2018. He is a holder of a Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) from Makerere University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Tax Practice & Administration from the East Africa School of Taxation, Kampala. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Certified Accountants of Uganda. Ronald’s previous work experience spans over several years in Finance and accounting, with FRIENDS Consult Limited, as the Finance and Administration Manager, before he joined RSTC. Ronald has had several consulting assignments, some of which led to the birth of RSTC.

Joseph carries a wealth of experience of 40+ years in the local and export markets for coffee, cotton and cocoa. He is a seasoned practical administrator who has served in various capacities including independent consultancies and related engagements. He was instrumental in mobilising the 12 community schools in Kasese, Kabarole and Bundibugyo. He has overseen the registration and operationalization of the 06 community groups into fully registered cooperatives with sustainable businesses. Through the provision of oversight and monitoring of their financial management, he has advised RSTC to build sustainable businesses. He has previously worked at UNEx, Nyakatonzi Cooperative Union, BASU SACCO and Coffee Services International Limited.

Marian joined RSTC in 2017 1st August as a commercial logistic Officer. She holds a Bachelors of procurement and Logistics Management and Dip. In busness administration from Ndejje University. Previously she worked with London fruits and Vegetables exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables from 2001 to 2016 as Admin/finance officer.

Annet has 25 years of experience in Natural resource governance, Programme design, implementation and monitoring. The Main Areas of work: Civil Society and Organizational strengthening at Micro, Meso and Macro levels, worked in wetlands, Forestry, wildlife and Fisheries Sectors.  She led policy debates in climate change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Environment and Natural Resources Sector, and spearheaded the establishment of beach management units to facilitate equitable representation of women and various categories of vulnerable people to manage fisheries.

Annet led advocacy and campaigns that improved civil society participation in the Environment and Natural resources sector using ICT platforms, public dialogues, and media engagement to foster transparency and accountability in the forestry and wetland sectors.  Annet championed investigations into forest land grabbing that increases resource degradation and causes vulnerabilities to women and men who depend on natural resources.  Annet was at the forefront of raising women’s voices on inclusion and representation in natural resource governance spaces.  Several wetlands and forest management plans were developed with her guidance, and approved by local authorities and the central government.

Annet advocated for gender equality in the ENR sector and supported the emergence of rights defenders for the environment and communities adjacent to Protected Areas, Central Forest Reserves and Wetlands and is very passionate about gender equality.

Stella plays a pivotal role in connecting agricultural producers with markets. She is committed to advancing the success of local farmers by providing access to ready markets, thereby enhancing their visibility and profitability. With over seven years of experience, Stella has helped businesses achieve economic growth, improve capacity, and increase sales. She has also worked closely with refugee artisans in the Rwamwanja settlement, offering training in handicraft production, which has expanded her expertise in entrepreneurship. Stella holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Computing from Makerere University Business School in Kampala. She is passionate about empowering women and youth in her community. In her free time, she enjoys reading and taking nature walks.

Peter has been assistant to Secretary manager Buka-Bughendera and Bundikakemba Growers Cooperative Societies since July 2020. He acquired a range of experience with handling Arabica coffee whilst working with UNION EXPORT SERVICES -MBALE. He completed an Advanced Certificate at Uganda Technical College -Elgon and subsequently proceeded to work within the Cocoa industry from ince 2012 to date in his current position in Bundibugyo. He has worked with companies including ESCO ‘U’ LTD and THREE FARMERS working in various capacities of Procurement officer, Quality controller and operations manager.