Frontend
React.js, Next.js, HTML5, JavaScript, CSS, Tailwind CSS
Backend
Node.js, Python, Django, Flask, RESTful APIs
Mobile
Android Development, React Native
Databases
SQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL
DevOps & Tools
Git, GitHub, Docker, CI/CD, Linux
AI/ML Toolkits
Kaldi, PyKaldi, SpeechBrain, Rasa, Fairseq, ESPnet, S3PRL, Hugging Face
Languages
JavaScript, Python, Perl, MATLAB, XML, SQL
Soft Skills
Project Management, Scientific Research, Complex Problem Solving, Strong Communication in Multiple Languages
- English (fluent, IELTS 6.5)
- French (fluent)
- Swahili (fluent)
- Turkish (fluent)
About Me
An Engineer passionate about research and development of software. I have collaborated effectively with diverse teams worldwide, adding value to the projects I worked on. Well-versed in numerous programming languages, both front-end and back-end. PhD holder in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Applied AI — NLP and Speech Processing.
Education
Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI)
Specialization in Applied Artificial Intelligence — Natural Language Processing and Speech Processing
Kampala International University, Uganda — GPA 4.3/5
Experience
Google Research AfricaOct 2025 – Jan 2026
- Designed and built end-to-end data processing pipelines for fine-tuning Vision Language Models
- Developed and optimized backend systems to support model training workflows
- Delivered high-performance applications for computer vision tasks, improving plant trait extraction accuracy
- Collaborated with cross-functional research and engineering teams following software engineering best practices
Ubuntu AIFeb 2022 – Present
- Developed and maintained responsive web interfaces using React.js for ubuntu-ai.net, funded by OpenAI
- Designed and implemented RESTful API integrations between frontend and backend services
- Led User Acceptance Testing (UAT) cycles ensuring application quality and accessibility compliance
- Collaborated with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions
Self-employedFeb 2019 – Present
- Haki chatbot: voice technology for women's land rights in DRC, financed by Mozilla Foundation
- Masakhane: volunteering for NLP and AI research for African languages
- Dataset collection initiative with initial benchmarks for 4 Congolese languages
Kocaeli UniversitySep 2017 – Jan 2019
- Conducted scientific research and development for engineering and environmental problems
- Managed large, complex design projects for scientific research and publication
- Carried out quality assurance tests to discover errors and optimize usability
- Maintained software and hardware equipment of the laboratory
Publications
Kimanuka U., wa Maina C., Büyük O.
Wiley Applied AI Letters, DOI:10.1002/ail2.70023
Kimanuka U., wa Maina C., Büyük O., Godelive M.K.
Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 15(5), 27387–27399
Eglash R., Nayebare M., Robinson K., Robert L., Bennett A., Kimanuka U., et al.
AI & Society, 40(4), 2663–2676
Chikotie T., Watson B., Kimanuka U., Banda T.
2025 IST-Africa Conference, 1–10
Kimanuka U., wa Maina C., Büyük O.
Elsevier Data in Brief, 52, 109796 — 20 citations
Adelani D.I., Masiak M., Azime I.A., Alabi J., Tonja A.L., Mwase C., ..., Kimanuka U., et al.
IJCNLP-AACL 2023, Bali — 55 citations
Nayebare M., Eglash R., Kimanuka U., Baguma R., Mounsey J., wa Maina C.
Conference: Democratic Inputs for AI — 8 citations
Kimanuka U.A., Büyük O.
Süleyman Demirel University Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 22, 319–329 — 21 citations
Projects
Front-End Development and User Acceptance Testing for ubuntu-ai.net, a platform for more democratic inputs to AI financed by OpenAI.
ML model training and mobile app integration for Core23lab's voice-enabled chatbot providing land rights information for women in DRC.
Android app providing access to the full text of the DRC constitution. Available on Google Play.
News reader app specializing in Congolese political, security, and economic news. Available on APKPure for Android.
Awards
Doctoral Fellowship for Thesis in Natural Language Processing.
Awarded $100,000 to 10 teams out of nearly 1,000 applications to design, build, and test ideas that use democratic methods to govern AI systems.
Full scholarship for PhD studies at PAUSTI.
Full scholarship for MSc studies at Kocaeli University. Learn more