By Mirembe Christine
After completing secondary education in Uganda in 2007, Ronnie Kyambadde took a leap of faith and travelled to the UK for missionary work. He was to spend the next two years in the UK doing ministry. However, during that time, Kyambadde got immersed in the culture of the people and started asking himself how he could take advantage of the knowledge he was garnering to start an income-generating activity back at home.
Many business ideas crossed his mind, but one eventually ticked all his boxes.
Ronnie Kyambadde of Grandmas Gardens enterprise
“Initially, I wanted to pursue a course in law, but the advancements I saw in the UK made me realize that I could do something for my people back home to foster change,” said Kyambadde, an alumnus of Uganda Christian University, where he earned Bachelor of Development Studies in 2012.
While in the UK, he saw a variety of dried fruits, such as mangoes, pineapples and jackfruit on sale, a concept that he said was new to him. In Uganda, many of the fruits that are eaten are sold fresh in the markets.
Kyambadde seemed to have zeroed in on a business idea, but was not sure how to implement it. As such, he teamed up with Reach the Children, a non-governmental organization in Uganda, to conduct research on selling dried pineapples. The organization carried out several tests on how to dry pineapples, specifically using solar power.
After many years of tests and research, Kyambadde and the organization started their business of selling dried pineapples, under the name Grandmas’ Gardens. The enterprise, which is focused on supporting sustainable businesses owned by impoverished families in central Uganda, has created employment opportunities for more than 100 grandmothers who are the majority of the work force.
One of the objectives of creating the business was to support many grandmothers who have had to take up the role of parents, and are, thus, breadwinners for their grandchildren in the central Uganda district of Luweero. And that’s precisely how the enterprise got its name – Grandmas’ Gardens. Many of the grandmothers have been provided with land to grow the pineapples, the pineapple seeds and the necessary farming tools.
A packet of Grandmas Gardens products on shopify.
In 2023, the team received new fruit dryers, a move which significantly reduced their cost of hiring drying machines for the social enterprise. The grandmothers and their grandchildren dry the pineapples using a heat pump after which they pack and ship them to the UK, where they are being sold through Amazon and Shopify. The fruit drying processing facility produces premium quality dried tropical fruit, with profits returning to the Grandmas’ Gardens for the benefit of community projects. A 100g pack of the dried organic pineapples costs $4.49.
Kyambadde believes that their products are the best they have made so far. “For now, we are selling within Europe, but soon we shall be selling to the US,” he said.
On shopify, products from the enterprise are displayed, with additional information about the project and what the customer stands to benefit. One of the promotional pieces of information reads: “By purchasing our dried pineapples, you’re not only getting a tasty snack, but also supporting sustainable incomes for families and communities in need.”
It adds: “With every bite of our sweet, air-dried pineapples, you’re helping to provide essential resources to grandmothers and their families, enabling them to live healthier, happier lives.”
With a five-star rating on Amazon, Kyambadde, a husband and a father of four, believes that their products, described as “healthy fruit snacking for all ages” are the best they have made so far.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.
Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Discover more from Uganda Partners
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
