Old Mutual Unit Trust Grows Its Assets Portfolio To Ug.shs3.36 trillion

The Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG) Uganda Unit Trust has reported a 36% year-on-year increase in assets under management, growing to Shs3.36 trillion in 2025 from Shs2.46 trillion in 2024.

The performance was announced during the company’s 9th Annual General Meeting held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala by the OMIG Chief Financial Officer, John Golooba.

Golooba said total income generated by the unit trust has more than doubled over the past four years, rising from Shs560 million in 2021 to Shs1.16 billion in 2025.

He noted that the Umbrella Trust Fund remained the largest contributor to asset growth, managing Shs3.3 trillion in assets. The fund generated Shs419.6 billion in investment income and recorded Shs336.1 billion in profit.

The Money Market Fund grew to Shs39 billion, representing a 128% increase, and generated Shs2.46 billion in investment income, up 102%, with Shs1.98 billion in profit.

Meanwhile, the Balanced Fund expanded to Shs9.64 billion, representing 187% growth, while posting Shs1.16 billion in total income and Shs937 million in profit.

The Dollar Fund also posted strong performance, growing by 61.2% to US$63 million, with investment income of US$3.22 million and profit of US$2.34 million.

According to Golooba, the bulk of the Unit Trust’s assets remain invested in low-risk instruments, with Shs2.61 trillion (78.8%) invested in government securities, Shs675 billion (20.7%) in bank deposits, and Shs17.6 billion (0.5%) in equities.

Speaking during the meeting, OMIG Managing Director Zac Kisesi said the company is leveraging technology, strategic partnerships and product innovation to enhance customer experience while positioning itself for the next phase of growth.

Among the company’s major milestones is the launch of the OMIG Wealth mobile application, which enables clients to open investment accounts, monitor their portfolios, make additional investments and manage their savings remotely.

“The digital platform empowers our clients to conveniently open investment accounts, monitor their portfolios, make additional investments and manage their savings anytime and from anywhere,” Kisesi said.

He said the application forms part of OMIG’s broader strategy to deliver a seamless and customer-centric digital experience.

The investment manager has also integrated its investment platform with several commercial banks, including Stanbic Bank Uganda, Equity Bank Uganda and Centenary Bank, with additional banking partnerships expected later this year.

According to Kisesi, the integrations enable seamless transfers between clients’ bank accounts and their unit trust investments, reducing transaction turnaround times and making investing more convenient.

“We believe that removing barriers to investing is key to encouraging greater participation in the capital markets,” he said.

OMIG has also enhanced its unit trust products by introducing life assurance benefits on selected investment products. The cover provides financial protection in the event of death, permanent disability or diagnosis of a critical illness, enabling clients to grow their wealth while protecting their families’ financial future.

Kisesi said these initiatives are part of a deliberate strategy to transform the customer experience.

“At OMIG Uganda, customer service is at the heart of our business. Every investment we make in technology, partnerships, product innovation and process improvement is driven by one purpose—to serve our clients better, faster and more efficiently,” he said.

Looking ahead, Kisesi announced that OMIG Uganda has received the Alternative Investment Fund Management green light from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), significantly expanding the company’s investment capabilities.

The approval will allow OMIG to introduce alternative investment products focusing on sectors such as renewable energy, solar power and affordable housing.

Kisesi attributed the strong growth of Uganda’s unit trust industry to improving financial literacy, stronger regulatory oversight and continuous innovation.

He noted that more Ugandans are joining investment clubs, while businesses are increasingly embracing treasury and liquidity management solutions.

He also credited the Capital Markets Authority with restoring investor confidence following years in which many Ugandans lost money through fraudulent investment schemes.

“The regulator has given credibility to people to entrust their pension money and their hard-earned savings,” he said.

He added that consistent investment returns, timely payments, greater transparency through digital account statements and easier access to funds have further strengthened investor confidence.

According to Kisesi, Uganda’s unit trust industry has now surpassed Shs6 trillion in assets under management.

If the sector continues growing by at least Shs1 trillion annually, he projected that total assets under management could reach approximately Shs12 trillion within the next six years.

Despite the impressive growth, Kisesi noted that the market remains largely untapped, with fewer than 500,000 Ugandans currently invested in unit trusts.

He expressed optimism that continued investment in digital innovation and improved accessibility, including targeting Ugandans in the diaspora, will attract more investors and sustain the industry’s growth.

Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com

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