Business
Ugandans urged to invest as low as sh100,000 in unit trusts
The campaign, dubbed Your Money Is Serious Business, according to a press release dated August 4 by Old Mutual, targets salaried workers, entrepreneurs, business owners and experienced investors seeking structured ways to grow their money.
Kiseesi said the growth reflects a shift among Ugandans from simply saving money to deliberately seeking ways of protecting its value and building wealth.
By: Lydia Labanya, Journalist @New Vision
Ugandans do not need millions of shillings to begin building an investment portfolio, with unit trust accounts now accessible from as little as sh100,000.
Old Mutual Investment Group Uganda (OMIG) is using a renewed public awareness campaign to challenge the perception that investing is reserved for wealthy people and financial experts.
The campaign, dubbed Your Money Is Serious Business, according to a press release dated August 4 by Old Mutual, targets salaried workers, entrepreneurs, business owners and experienced investors seeking structured ways to grow their money.
OMIG managing director Zac Kiseesi said investing can begin gradually, provided individuals remain disciplined and focused on their financial goals.
“Investing is not reserved for a small group of financial experts or wealthy individuals. It is responsible financial behaviour that people can adopt progressively as they work towards their goals,” he said.
Unit trusts bring together money from several investors, which is then placed in different assets and managed by professionals. This gives individuals access to diversified investments without requiring them to select and manage each asset personally.
Interest in such investments has been growing in Uganda. Capital Markets Authority figures show that collective investment schemes held sh1.15 trillion in assets and had attracted 32,998 investor accounts by November 2024.
Kiseesi said the growth reflects a shift among Ugandans from simply saving money to deliberately seeking ways of protecting its value and building wealth.
“Money represents the plans, responsibilities and ambitions that people work hard to achieve. It should therefore be managed with the seriousness, discipline and professional oversight it deserves,” he said.
Unit trusts bring together money from several investors, which is then placed in different assets and managed by professionals. This gives individuals access to diversified investments without requiring them to select and manage each asset personally.
Interest in such investments has been growing in Uganda. Capital Markets Authority figures show that collective investment schemes held sh1.15 trillion in assets and had attracted 32,998 investor accounts by November 2024.
Kiseesi said the growth reflects a shift among Ugandans from simply saving money to deliberately seeking ways of protecting its value and building wealth.
“Money represents the plans, responsibilities and ambitions that people work hard to achieve. It should therefore be managed with the seriousness, discipline and professional oversight it deserves,” he said.
OMIG offers money market, balanced, dollar and umbrella unit trust funds, catering to investors with different goals and risk appetites.
Customers can open accounts, deposit and withdraw money, and monitor their investments through the OMIG Wealth App and the Old Mutual online portal.
The digital platforms are intended to give investors greater control and visibility while retaining access to professional fund management.
The campaign will also educate the public about protection benefits available to qualifying investors who maintain or increase their unit trust balances. These include education, disability and life-related benefits.
Kiseesi said public confidence would be crucial to sustaining the growth of Uganda’s collective investment industry.
“Trust is built through sound governance, transparency, consistent service and the responsible management of customers’ funds,” he said.
Customers can open accounts, deposit and withdraw money, and monitor their investments through the OMIG Wealth App and the Old Mutual online portal.
The digital platforms are intended to give investors greater control and visibility while retaining access to professional fund management.
The campaign will also educate the public about protection benefits available to qualifying investors who maintain or increase their unit trust balances. These include education, disability and life-related benefits.
Kiseesi said public confidence would be crucial to sustaining the growth of Uganda’s collective investment industry.
“Trust is built through sound governance, transparency, consistent service and the responsible management of customers’ funds,” he said.