Few stories resonate as profoundly as that of Julian Adyeri Omalla. Known affectionately as “Mama Cheers,” Omalla has transformed her humble beginnings into a business empire that not only quenches the thirst of millions but also uplifts entire communities.
Born in 1965, Omalla’s early life was marked by resilience and determination. She began her career working for her brothers, all the while saving diligently to launch her own venture. In 1996, she took the entrepreneurial plunge, founding Delight Uganda Limited.
Despite facing significant challenges, including a devastating betrayal by a business partner that left her with nothing but a wheelbarrow and a red dress, Omalla’s resolve remained unshaken. She recalls, “The only things left were a wheelbarrow to take fruit to sell at the market and a red dress I would wash out every night.”
With a certificate in food science and traditional fruit processing knowledge imparted by her mother, Omalla identified a gap in Uganda’s beverage market.
Her vision was clear: to establish a large-scale juice processing factory. This vision materialized into the ‘Cheers’ brand, which has since become a household name in Uganda. Today, Delight Uganda Limited boasts an annual turnover exceeding $4 million and commands 45% of the local market.
Omalla’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop at fruit juices. She diversified her business portfolio to include poultry farming, grain processing, a flour mill, a bakery, and a student hostel accommodating 400 students. Her enterprises collectively employ over 1,000 Ugandans and export products to neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Beyond business, Omalla is deeply committed to community development. She established the Nwoya Fruit Growers Cooperative, comprising 5,000 members, 3,750 of whom are women. These women cultivate fruits for Delight Uganda, positively impacting over 100,000 individuals directly and indirectly.
Omalla ensured that each woman in the cooperative would have at least one acre of fruit orchard intercropped with short-term seasonal crops for income and sustainability. Each farmer can earn up to $1,850 seasonally from an acre of land.
Omalla’s dedication has garnered international acclaim. In 2020, she received a special prize during the seventh edition of UNCTAD’s Empretec Women in Business Awards for her commitment to empowering other women through her company.
The following year, the Ugandan government awarded Delight Uganda Limited a $10 million grant to construct a modern fresh juice factory in northern Uganda, aiming to enhance value addition and job creation in line with the country’s Industrial Policy 2020.
Looking ahead, Omalla envisions expanding her market reach globally and transforming her farm and institute into centers of excellence. Her goal is to increase the number of direct outgrowers to 80,000 farmers and indirect beneficiaries to 432,000 women within the next three years, ensuring a sustainable fruit supply for the new factory to meet both local and international demand.
Julian Adyeri Omalla’s journey epitomizes the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
From the depths of personal and professional setbacks, she has built a thriving business that not only contributes significantly to Uganda’s economy but also serves as a beacon of empowerment for countless women. Her story underscores the profound impact of visionary leadership, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to community upliftment.
