The Nectar Point

The market for soft drinks in northern Uganda is currently dominated by industrially processed and carbonated drinks. The more health-conscious consumers are, the higher the demand for freshly processed fruit juice. Realizing this market niche, a group of four students pursuing MSc. in Agrienterprises development from Gulu University took up this business opportunity and started processing fresh natural fruit juices under the brand name “nectar point”. With financing from the agribusiness incubation hub of Gulu University, we received US$1,100 as start- up capital. Our primary target market is the corporate working-class which includes commercial banks, microfinances, revenue authority staff, registration service bureau High courts of law, National social security firms offices , insurance Companies;  Construction companies, Electricity and solar companies; Universities which include Gulu university staff and students, Uganda management institute; Communication service providers like MTN;  Health service providers like  clinics, hospitals;  Civil servants including Gulu city council and district local government officials, private shops, market and street vendors , bus terminal stations and boda-boda cyclists. Nectar point also supplies fresh juices for events such as weddings and marriage functions.    

Initially, the business was making a daily net profit of US$.6 (167 USD monthly). However, the outbreak of covid-19 and the five months lockdown almost put an end to nectar point. As a result, sales went down and the profits reduced from daily net profit of 6US$ to less than 1US$.  As a result of easing of the lockdown from July-2020 and emphasis on the need for people to take a lot of fresh juices, we refocused our marketing and promotional strategies with a focus on emphasis on the health benefits of consuming vegetable and fruit juices such as immune boosting. This enabled us to make a daily net profit of US$.28s (778 US$ monthly) and employ 5 out of school youth.

As students and youths, we were able to acquire relevant skills and experience needed to operate businesses individually. The business was dissolved amicably within the four students and now the nectar point is a sole proprietorship business owned by Juliet Ochama. The business is currently making a daily net profit of 42US$(1167US$monthly) from juice, fruit salads, coffee and wine. The plan to venture into ice cream is underway with funding from FAPA to upscale the business. Through this business, I have been able to create jobs for 7 out of school community youths (4 girls and 3 boys) and create four more selling points within Gulu with a customer base of 40 percent of Gulu district working class population. 

I am therefore grateful to the faculty of Agriculture and environment Gulu University and FAPA project RUFORUM for giving me the training, funding and the business mentorship. I will forever be grateful for this immense opportunity.