Albert Rwakimari Ayiga’s journey from a small village in Uganda to becoming a transformative force in agriculture, education, and financial empowerment is nothing short of extraordinary. Born in Nyakiju, a remote area in the southwestern district of Kabale, Albert’s early life was shaped by the harsh realities of 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,” Albert recalls.
But this was just the beginning of a story that would disrupt the deeply entrenched systems of exploitation and poverty in Uganda. Albert’s journey wasn’t a straight path—no road ever is for someone born into such adversity. His education was patchwork, a consequence of moving from school to school as his parents tried to survive the unpredictable seasons of their farming life. The inability to afford school fees meant Albert’s schooling was often interrupted, but it also sparked an unrelenting drive in him to break the very chains that held his family, and so many others, in poverty.
“I learned that life is hustle. You don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; you go out and create them. Resilience and curiosity became my guiding forces. My background shaped the way I see things today,” Albert explains. That mindset would become the foundation of the NUNU Fund, a unique initiative born from his personal struggles and desire to lift others out of the same cycle of poverty.
A Vision Born from Personal Struggles
The idea for NUNU Fund was birthed when Albert dropped out of university due to financial constraints. “I had to make a choice between my education and my family’s survival. It was a hard decision, but it sparked something within me. I realized I could create a solution that would prevent others from facing the same struggles,” Albert says.
Today, NUNU Fund stands as a beacon of hope and transformation for over 2,500 peasant households in Uganda. Through its innovative model, the Fund has addressed not only the education crisis in rural Uganda but also the systemic issues in agriculture and financial empowerment. By bypassing middlemen and connecting farmers directly with schools, NUNU Fund ensures that farmers receive fair compensation for their produce while also helping to fund the education of their children. The fund’s revolutionary system of micro-investments has already improved school completion rates by 50%, and provided financial security and long-term sustainability to countless families.
The organization operates through two key components. The first, the SeedBank for Education, allows small-scale farmers to sell their produce—like beans and maize—at double the price that middlemen offer. The produce is then used to feed students at local schools. When excess produce is sold, 50% of the profits go back to the farmers. “We are not just buying produce; we’re creating a cycle of growth. The farmers get fair prices for their work, and their children get an education,” says Albert.
The farmers involved are no longer at the mercy of exploitative middlemen who have traditionally controlled the pricing and distribution of agricultural products. This shift is significant. Albert’s approach is about fairness and restoring the dignity of farmers who were once trapped in cycles of poverty. “Our model is not just about helping farmers; it’s about giving them power over their own lives. We bypass the middlemen who have been robbing them for years,” Albert says.
The second component, the Payback and Saving System, is designed to help families in extreme poverty save for long-term goals like education and medical emergencies. Community shops sell basic necessities, but with a twist—each purchase is automatically tied to a 20% payback, which goes into a savings account. These funds are then set aside specifically for paying school fees or covering healthcare costs. “Families typically buy the smallest quantities, like one cup of rice, but that 20% payback helps them save without even realizing it. Over time, this small amount adds up and becomes a significant resource,” Albert explains.
The savings system serves as a lifeline for families, allowing them to address unexpected medical emergencies and ensure their children’s education remains a priority. It also provides the security of knowing that there is always a financial cushion in place, which many families never had before.
What sets NUNU Fund apart is its holistic approach—combining agriculture, education, and financial empowerment in a way that breaks down the traditional power structures that have perpetuated poverty in rural Uganda. Instead of operating as a charity, NUNU Fund is a business. Albert and his team have made it clear from the beginning: they are not here to give handouts. They are here to build a sustainable, profitable ecosystem that empowers the very people it serves. “Helping the poor get rich is not just a noble goal; it’s a business model. The more money you make, the more you can reinvest in the community, the more impact you can have,” Albert says.
Albert’s vision has proven successful, with the model leading to tangible results. “We’ve reduced school dropout rates by 50%, increased incomes by 30%, and seen a 60% return on harvested crops. But the real impact is the hope we’ve given these families. They now see a future for their children, and that’s priceless,” Albert shares.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Sustainability
The road to this success wasn’t easy. “When we first started, many thought we were a charity organization, but deep down we knew we were a business. Without making money, we couldn’t afford to pay school fees for the children. We had to prove to people that our vision could work,” Albert recalls. The hardest part was getting the community to align with this new model. They were used to relying on charity or government assistance, but Albert’s belief in the power of self-sufficiency slowly began to change minds.
“Building something new is daunting, especially when you’re building it for people the world calls ‘poor.’ Disruptive ideas are hard to accept, but once people see how it works, the rewards are beyond anything they imagined,” he adds.
As NUNU Fund continues to thrive, Albert has his eyes set on the future. “With technology now in place, we are looking to scale our services across Uganda and into other parts of Africa. Our focus is on vulnerable peasants and low-income earners who survive on a hand-to-mouth existence. We want them to benefit from the innovations that are transforming the world today,” Albert says with palpable excitement.
The fund’s innovative integration of agriculture, education, and financial empowerment has made it a model that other regions and countries could replicate. “We are not just a business. We are building a movement. A movement that connects people, planet, and profits in a way that benefits everyone,” Albert concludes.
A Commitment to Health and Community Well-being
In addition to his work with NUNU Fund, Albert is deeply committed to improving healthcare access in rural Uganda. As a trained medical professional, he offers pro bono services to elderly people in rural communities, focusing on those with chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. “Every month, I visit them in their communities because they can’t travel long distances to government health facilities,” Albert explains.
Another initiative targets pregnant mothers, providing ultrasound scans to ensure that they have access to vital healthcare during pregnancy. “We’ve already reached more than 2,000 pregnant mothers, and we plan to scale this initiative as well,” Albert says.
Albert’s journey has taught him two invaluable lessons. “The first is that if you help poor people get rich, the more money you will make. The second is that life unfolds in ways we can’t always predict. If you stay patient and have faith in the process, everything will fall into place,” he says.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial path, Albert believes that every challenge holds an opportunity. “Resources are abundant, but the key is seeing the opportunity in challenges. Once you develop the vision and resilience, the resources will come. It’s all about purpose-driven entrepreneurship,” he advises.
