Conversation with Jimmy Ouni of TISA and TRUISM.

 1. What are your names? 

Jimmy Ouni

2. Where did you go to school?

For my tertiary educations I took mainly distance education, Business Studies at University of Greenwich, then commerce and information systems at Ssikim Manipal University. 

3. What did you study? 

I studies commerce and information systems, & PMP.  Undertake a number of in agribusiness and management. 

4. Tell us about what you do?

I am an operation specialist, coordinating and optimizing various processes. My Current role at Truism, an agribusiness firm working with over 1000 smallholder farmers in the northern, west Nile and eastern regions of Uganda, we focus on the production and promoting consumption of dry pulses (legumes), the most undervalues super food, As the general Manager, this involves streamlining workflows, overseeing resource allocation, and implementing efficiency improvements to ensure smooth and effective business operations and profitability. 

5. What are some of the major influences in your past that are determining what you are doing now? 

I hail from a farming community, this shaped a strong concern for climate change, with deep focus on food security, then we had granaries but are no more today, the soils are fast depleting, the agricultural practices have greatly changed, and I have a new commitment to biodiversity preservation. This has driven me to support environmental sustainability initiatives, advocate for renewable energy, and promote policies to mitigate climate change. Additionally, I participate in activities to enhance food production, reduce food waste, and improve distribution for food security, that’s what drew my interest to working with Truism, apply my skills to tackle global challenges and work towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

6. Tell us about your work in the Savings and Investment Space?

At TISA, we are part of the managing team of an investment club that brings together like-minded individuals with the goal of achieving financial freedom. We are collectively redefining the traditional concept of an investor. Our work involves cultivating a savings culture and offering financial security for our members. Moreover, TISA is positioned to be an economic driver, providing sustainable and profitable investment portfolios for our members.

7. Tell us about some of the statistics that make this space attractive?

In 2022, Uganda received USD 1.3 billion in remittances from the diaspora community, as reported by the World Bank and KNOMAD. And Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Uganda increased by 30.6% from USD 874 million in 2020 to USD 1.1 billion in 2021.

Investment clubs, being rooted in the local business dynamics, are well-positioned to address the current market needs and secure a better financial future, an asset they play with is deep understanding of trade and business locally, so it clubs serve as a strategic vehicle for channeling funds and capitalizing on the growing opportunities in Uganda.

8. What do you think the gaps are in the Technology and Innovation Ecosystem in Uganda? What would you say are our challenges?

The ecosystem is still very nascent, and to develop this limited access to capital is such a huge barrier, inadequate infrastructure, the skilled professionals -thuo the gap is closing, regulatory constraints, and insufficient investment in research and development. 

Addressing these gaps needs a concerted government-private sectors synergy; say investment in skills development, with a matching policy reform, infrastructure improvements, but above all fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

9. What major ideas are you exploring in 2024?

In 2024, my main focus will be on networking and building partnership with like-minds. Focusing on initiatives to improve access to capital, connectivity, investing in education and skills training and promoting research and development. These efforts aim to foster a more conducive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration on joint projects – or call it investments and establish a reputable vehicle of change, transcending the barriers of individualism.