UGANDA: Woman won a prize of $10 million for her juice business: “Cheers”

A finalist of UNCTAD’s award for women in business gets $10 million from her government to build a fresh juice factory that will promote sustainable agriculture and improve livelihoods.

Julian Omalla, the woman who produces one of Uganda’s most popular fruit drinks, sold under the brand name “Cheers” and boasting a loyal customer base of over 5 million people. Affectionately known by many as “Mama Cheers”, the 56-year-old founder and chief executive director of Delight Uganda Limited is one of the east African nation’s foremost female entrepreneurs.

In order to boost her business action, the Ugandan government awarded her company a $4 million grant in February 2021 to build a fresh juice factory in the Northern of the country. Moroever, she received an another help of $6 million to procure equipment, with 50% of the funds repayable by her company in 10 years.

A business woman in Uganda who can encourage others

She’s one of the most decorated female entrepreneurs in Uganda, having bagged several local and global business awards. Last year, she won a special prize during the 7th edition of UNCTAD’s Empretec Women in Business Awards for her dedication to empowering other women through her inclusive business.

“Empretec empowered and mentored me to be who I am today,” Ms. Omalla says.When she started her company in 1996, she didn’t know much about running a business. The woman can encourage women of her country and beyond to believe in her dream to be realized.