By Nicolas Akasula
Albert Rwakimari’s journey from a small village in southwestern Uganda to becoming a transformative force in agriculture, education, and financial empowerment is nothing short of remarkable.
Born in Kagarama Nyakiju, Muyumbu, Kyanamira in Kabale District, Rwakimari’s early life was shaped by rural poverty.
“I grew up in a family of peasant farmers who struggled to afford school fees. The cycle of poverty was a harsh reality, and education seemed like a distant dream. When you grow up in rural Uganda, agriculture is all you see from morning until evening,” Rwakimari recalls.
Unable to afford fees, Rwakimari’s schooling was frequently interrupted. Yet, this sparked a relentless drive to break the very chains that kept his family and others in poverty.
He often watched his parents being exploited by middlemen—an experience that eventually led him to drop out of university. His parents could not afford his tuition either, worsening the situation.
“In Uganda, school dropout rates remain high, with about 45 per cent of primary schoolchildren and 30 per cent of secondary students not completing their education,” reported New Vision on December 2, 2024.
Vision born from struggle
Determined to change the narrative for peasants and low-income earners, Rwakimari founded the NUNU Fund.
“I had to choose between my education and my family’s survival. It was a hard decision, but it sparked something in me. I realised I could create a solution so others wouldn’t face the same struggles,” he says.
NUNU Fund’s innovative model addresses school dropout rates, agricultural inefficiencies, and financial exclusion. By bypassing exploitative middlemen, the fund connects farmers directly to schools and markets, ensuring they receive fair prices and can fund their children’s education.
Its micro-investment model has reportedly improved school completion rates by 50 per cent and helped families achieve financial stability.
More of their work
The initiative operates through two key components:
The first is the SeedBank for Education, which enables small-scale farmers to sell crops such as beans and maize at better prices than middlemen offer. These are used to feed students at local schools, and when there is surplus, 50 per cent of the profits go back to the farmers.
“We are not just buying produce; we’re creating a cycle of growth. Farmers get fair prices, and their children get an education,” Rwakimari explains.
He believes this model restores dignity and power to farmers. “Our approach is not about handouts—it’s about empowering people.”
The second component is the Payback and Saving System, which helps families in extreme poverty save for long-term needs like school fees and medical emergencies.
Their retail shops sell basic items, with each purchase tied to a 20 per cent payback that goes into a savings account earmarked for education or healthcare.
“Families typically buy small quantities, like a cup of rice, but the 20 per cent payback helps them save unknowingly. Over time, it adds up,” Rwakimari says.
This savings cushion has become a lifeline for many families.
Sustainable, profitable model
What sets the NUNU Fund apart is its holistic, self-sustaining model. Rather than operate as a charity, it is a business designed to create wealth among the poor.
“Helping the poor get rich is not just noble—it’s a business model. The more money you make, the more you can reinvest in the community,” he says.
So far, the fund has helped reduce school dropout rates by 50 per cent, increase household incomes by 30 per cent, and achieve a 60 per cent return on harvested crops.
Overcoming challenges
“Running a social business with vulnerable communities is like chewing glass,” he says. From tech to product delivery, the challenges are relentless.
“When we started, many thought we were a charity. But we had to prove that making money was essential to funding education. Changing this mindset was tough,” Rwakimari adds.
He contrasts his work with government programmes like Youth Livelihood Fund and Emyooga, which often fall short in sustainability.
With technology now in place, the NUNU Fund aims to scale across Uganda and into other parts of Africa. It offers flexible fee loan systems such as Pay-As-You-Trade (PAYT) and Pay-As-You-Harvest (PAYH) for smallholder peasants.
Rwakimari’s story is proof that social problems can be solved from within. He advocates for governments to support social entrepreneurs, not just pump money into communities. With the right business model, he believes all vulnerable learners can stay in school until completion.
