100 LIONESSES: Julian Adyeri Omalla - 'Mama Cheers' is Uganda's favourite juice maker

December 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Julian Adyeri Omalla, founder of Delight Uganda Limited — **Julian Adyeri Omalla**, founder of Delight Uganda Limited

Julian Adyeri Omalla is one of Uganda's top female entrepreneurs. She is founder, chairperson and managing director of Delight Uganda Limited, producing the country's most popular fruit drink sold under the brand name 'Cheers'. Julian has diversified into a range of other business activities, including egg and poultry farming, maize-feed production, a flour mill and bakery, a student hostel for 400, as well as coordinating women’s farmer cooperatives that provide food aid into Sudan. Today, Julian employs over 1,000 Ugandans and exports to countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Zaire.

100 Lionesses - Tabitha Karanja and Julian Adyeri Omalla, two game-changing women entrepreneurs recognized for their trailblazing drinks industry businesses in Africa

June 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tabitha Karanja (L) and Julian Adyeri Omalla (R)

The Africa Report has just published its list of the 50 women Star Dealmakers, the trendsetters, trailblazers and game-changing business brand-builders, who are shaking up the world of business on the African continent. Two of the women making the list and who have definitely made their significant mark in the drinks industries are Tabitha Karanja, CEO Keroche Breweries; and Julian Adyeri Omalla, Managing Director of Delight Uganda.

Quote of the Day by Julian Adyeri Omalla

March 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken

"I am delighted when I employ people and see them work and educate their children. I encourage my employees to develop themselves, to save money, buy land and build houses for themselves."

- Julian Adyeri Omalla is one of Uganda's top female entrepreneurs. She is founder, chairperson and managing director of Delight Uganda Limited, producing the country's most popular fruit drink sold under the brand name 'Cheers'. Julian has diversified into a range of other business activities, including egg and poultry farming, maize-feed production, a flour mill and bakery, a student hostel for 400, as well as coordinating women’s farmer cooperatives that provide food aid into Sudan. Today, Julian employs over 1,000 Ugandans and exports to countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Zaire.

Quote of the Day from Julian Omalla

November 13, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Julian Omalla, founder of Delight Uganda Limited — **Julian Omalla**, founder of Delight Uganda Limited

"My only means of transport was my wheelbarrow. The local market responded positively to my juice products and I could see my dream coming true."

Julian Omalla - The startup story of a woman who against all odds became one of Uganda’s biggest business success stories

December 7, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Julian 'Mama Cheers' Omalla, founder of Delight Limited, Uganda — **Julian 'Mama Cheers' Omalla**, founder of Delight Limited, Uganda

This inspirational woman entrepreneur from Uganda shows the power of grit and determination to succeed in business, despite the many hurdles encountered, to build a highly respected, multi-million dollar drinks and foodstuff empire in Africa.

Entrepreneur Advice for Julian Omalla: Don't rush into borrowing money for your business

November 7, 2014 Melanie Hawken

You should consider banks as the last resort when looking for sources of funds ....

"First establish yourself then think of borrowing. When I borrowed, I noticed that my business was not growing as fast as I thought—it slowed me down, .... I started with personal savings and I think that is the best way.”

Quote of the Day

October 30, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"I swore never to lead a poor life .... While growing up, we were poor. We had to dig and brew alcohol to raise school fees. I saw the problems my father faced raising us on a primary school teachers salary. I decided not to have many children. I have a few, but I support many others."

Entrepreneur Advice from Julian Omalla: Is it possible to start and manage multiple businesses?

October 22, 2014 Melanie Hawken

How do you manage all your businesses?....

"I love challenges, work and starting new businesses. I like employing people. So I work until late in the night. When I am writing business proposals and starting a new business, I sleep at midnight. When I'm launching a new product, I sleep at 10:00pm and get up at 2:00am to work and sleep again at 5:00am."

Podcast: DW Deutsche Welle - Interviews Julian Omalla inspiring Ugandan entrepreneur

October 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

PODCAST: Listen to this fascinating interview

Julian Adyeri Omalla changed her biography from a story of poverty to prosperity. How did she manage to move from having nothing to creating a business employing 450 people nowadays? Listen and find out this amazing woman’s philosophy.

Entrepreneur Advice from Julian Omalla: Find that gap in the market

October 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

You need to identify a gap in the market....

“My aim was to start a juice processing business, not just small scale like the market vendors, but a real factory. My mother had taught us to process local fruit and I’d done a certificate course in food science, so I had the technical background. I could see there was a gap in the market.”

Entrepreneur Advice from Julian Omalla: Don't put all your eggs in one basket

October 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Never put all your eggs in one basket....

“As a woman I wanted to show I could have my own business, too. I was doing well until I became too trusting… I transferred all my funds to my business partner to purchase stock and he just disappeared from his place of business. I was back to square zero .... I learnt the hard way not to put all my eggs in one basket."

- Julian Adyeri Omalla is one of Uganda's top female entrepreneurs. She is founder, chairperson and managing director of Delight Uganda Limited, producing the country's most popular fruit drink sold under the brand name 'Cheers'. Julian has diversified into a range of other business activities, including egg and poultry farming, maize-feed production, a flour mill and bakery, a student hostel for 400, as well as coordinating women’s farmer cooperatives that provide food aid into Sudan. Today, Julian employs over 1,000 Ugandans and exports to countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Zaire.

Julian Omalla: 1,000 jobs up for grabs in Nwoya fresh fruit processing plant

October 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: New Vision | Published October 15, 2012

Over 1,000 locals including homeless young mothers are to get gainful employment following the setting up of a 5,000 acre fruit processing plant in Nwoya district. The ministry of Local Government with support from the United Nations Centre for Development and Nwoya district local government have partnered with Delight Uganda limited to set up a fresh fruit processing factory in Nwoya.

Quote of the Day

September 30, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"The biggest problem in Uganda is unemployment, .... I know what to do—we can create more employment.”

Quote of the Day

September 22, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"If you have a farm, you should plant fruits and cash crops. Cash crops will bring income for the family and fruits are enjoyed by the children. A woman must know she has to till the land for the nation."

Delight juice manufacturer diversifies into other businesses

May 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: Daily Monitor Uganda | May 20, 2014

If there is any validity to seeing “a woman’s touch” in operating a key beverage company, it is illustrated by Delight Limited’s managing director Julian Nyamahunge Omalla. Just like any other entrepreneur, Nyamahunge is not afraid to try out anything. With nearly two decades of experience in business, Nyamahunge has mastered the art of processing juice from her mother....

Julian Omalla nominated as a finalist in the 2014 EY Eastern Africa Entrepreneur of the Year Award

March 13, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: TechMoran | March 13, 2014

EY today announced the finalists of the Eastern Africa Chapter of the Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards (EOYA). The Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards recognize entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence in areas of entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, community or global impact, innovation and personal integrity. Julian Omalla has been nominated in the Emerging Entrepreneur Category.

Video: Julian Omalla's journey as an entrepreneur and how she's diversified her business interests

April 28, 2012 Melanie Hawken

Source: Uganda Investment Authority | Uploaded on April 28, 2011

Julian Omalla talks about how she started Delight Uganda Limited and its range of 'Cheers' branded fruit juices to moving on to diversify her business interests into farming, agri-processing and real estate. A truly inspiring woman entrepreneur!