# Ron Kawamara > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ron_Kawamara > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ron_Kawamara.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Kawamara > Source revision: 1349270199 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Ugandan entrepreneur (born 1986)}} {{Infobox person | name = Ron Kawamara | image = | alt = | caption = | other_names = | birth_name = Ron Kazooba Kawamara | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|12|22|df=y}} | birth_place = [Fort Portal](/source/Fort_Portal), Uganda | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley)
[University of Oxford](/source/University_of_Oxford)
[University of Cambridge](/source/University_of_Cambridge) | occupation = Business Executive, Entrepreneur, Investor | employer = | known_for = E-commerce, Hospitality, Tourism, Public policy | notable_works = Senior Vice President (SVP) at [Jumia Group](/source/Jumia) and CEO Jumia Uganda | title = Founder and CEO at Hugamara | boards = | spouse = {{marriage|Cynthia Tumwine|2019}} }} '''Ronald Kazooba Kawamara''' simply referred to as '''Ron Kawamara''' (born 22 December 1986), is a Ugandan business executive, entrepreneur, impact investor and philanthropist. He is known for role in shaping the Uganda's digital commerce, some sources described him as father of Uganda's e-commerce.{{Cite web |last=Kyamutetera |first=Muhereza |date=2022-12-12 |title=The story of Ron Kawamara, Uganda's 'father' of e-commerce |url=https://www.ceo.co.ug/the-story-of-ron-kawamara-ugandas-father-of-e-commerce/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=CEO East Africa |language=en-US}} In 2014, Ron co-founded ''Hello Food'', Uganda's online food delivery company, which later transitioned into ''Jumia Food.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=The Publicist |date=2022-03-25 |title=CEO OF THE WEEK: Ron Kawamara |url=https://publicisteastafrica.com/ceo-of-the-week-ron-kawamara/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Publicist East Africa |language=en-US}}'' Ron served as Senior Vice President (SVP) at [Jumia Group](/source/Jumia) and CEO of Jumia Uganda until 2022. He was involved in Jumia's listing on the [New York Stock Exchange](/source/New_York_Stock_Exchange) in 2019, the first for an African tech company. In 2021, he featured in [Forbes](/source/Forbes).[https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FORBES-UGANDA_2021_40pags_vok5-online.pdf Forbes Uganda April/May 2021]. Retrieved 23 October 2024 In 2022, Ron shifted focus to lead ''Hugamara'', a holding company which invests in various sectors. Since 2019, he serves as Chairman of Uganda's [E-Trade](/source/E-Trade) and Startup Association, and as Vice Chairman of the Uganda Tourism Board since January 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-19 |title=Uganda Baati and E-Trade Association Work Together to Improve the Convenience of E-Commerce - infrastructure.go.ug |url=https://infrastructure.go.ug/uganda-baati-and-e-trade-association-work-together-to-improve-the-convenience-of-e-commerce/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=bubuonline |date=2024-02-12 |title=Uganda Tourism Board Gets New Board |url=https://bubuonlinenews.ug/uganda-tourism-board-gets-new-board/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Bubu Online News |language=en-US}} == Biography == Ron was born on 22 December 1986 in [Fort Portal](/source/Fort_Portal), Uganda, to Mishac Kawamara, currently a Senior Presidential Advisor– Mobilisation, and Peluce Kawamara.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-21 |title=President Museveni Appoints Mishac Kawamara As Senior Presidential Advisor – Mobilisation - State House Uganda |url=https://statehouse.go.ug/president-museveni-appoints-mishac-kawamara-as-senior-presidential-advisor-mobilisation/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |language=en-US}} He attended Buhinga Primary School and later joined [Ntare School](/source/Ntare_School), where he completed his O’Level education. In his teens, Ron moved to the [United States](/source/United_States) and studied at [Los Angeles Valley College](/source/Los_Angeles_Valley_College). In 2007, he enrolled at the [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley) where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and development economics in 2011. As a Miller Scholar, he carried out research in 2012 on how the [Lord's Resistance Army](/source/Lord's_Resistance_Army) in Northern Uganda managed to terrorize the region for so long. He is a co-founder of the Organization of African Students at [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley) and served as Berkeley Student Ambassador for study abroad.{{Cite web |title=Kazooba Kawamara (2013) – Undergraduate Research & Scholarships |url=https://live-ours.pantheon.berkeley.edu/stronach-winners/kazooba-kawamara-2013/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |language=en-US}} He completed a postgraduate programme in Development Economics from the [University of Cambridge](/source/University_of_Cambridge) in 2012. Ron further pursued a [Master of Science](/source/Master_of_Science) degree in African [Development Studies](/source/Development_studies) at the [University of Oxford](/source/University_of_Oxford), graduating in 2013. == Career == Ron began his career in the [San Francisco Bay Area](/source/San_Francisco_Bay_Area) as a Business Development Manager at People Connect and later as a Strategy Manager at [FedEx](/source/FedEx). In 2014, he returned to [Uganda](/source/Uganda) and co-founded Hello Food, which later became Jumia Food.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=JAVIRA SSEBWAMI {{!}} PML Daily Staff |date=2018-10-19 |title=Jumia names Ron Kawamara new company CEO |url=https://www.pmldaily.com/news/2018/10/jumia-names-ron-kawamara-new-company-ceo.html |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=PML Daily |language=en-US}} Ron helped popularizing online food delivery services, and building logistics for digital commerce.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-03 |title=Hello, you can get your food online |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/technology/hello-you-can-get-your-food-online-1583558 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Monitor |language=en}} Ron led Hello Food's involvement in community-focused initiatives, including donating food to Dwelling Places, a children's home in Kampala, in observance of World Hunger Day.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-02 |title=Hellofood feeds children at Dwelling places |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/markets/hellofood-feeds-children-at-dwelling-places-1613048 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Monitor |language=en}} In 2014, the company partnered with the 40 Days over 40 Smiles Foundation to host an early Christmas celebration for children at Akiba Children's Home.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-04 |title=Hellofood, 40/40 give Akiba Children Christmas Party |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/entertainment/hellofood-40-40-give-akiba-children-christmas-party-1595162 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Monitor |language=en}} In 2016, Ron joined Jumia group, initially, as the East Africa Regional Managing Director of Jumia On-Demand Services, and later, he served as Senior Vice President at [Jumia Group](/source/Jumia) and CEO of Jumia Uganda.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-24 |title=Jumia Uganda Gets New CEO, Braces For Black Friday |url=https://weetracker.com/2018/10/24/jumia-uganda-gets-new-ceo-braces-for-black-friday/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=WeeTracker |language=en}} In 2022, Ron transitioned from Jumia to focus on his own company, Hugamara, a long-term holding company with a focus on building and acquiring businesses across various sectors. Hugamara holds a portfolio of 18 hospitality, Green Tech, security, and logistics companies run by extraordinary leaders in Uganda, Kenya, UAE, and the USA. He continues to serve as the Chairman of Uganda's E-Trade and Startup Association.{{Cite web |last=Albert |first=Kikonyogo Douglas |date=2018-10-18 |title=Jumia Uganda announces new CEO, unveils this year's Black Friday |url=https://techjaja.com/jumia-uganda-announces-new-ceo/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Techjaja |language=en-US}} He is on board of directors of [I&M Bank Uganda](/source/I%26M_Bank_Uganda).{{Cite web |last=Wanyoike |first=Brian Gatarwa, John |last2=Nicholas |first2=Brian Gatarwa, Moturi George, Shadrack |title=I&M Bank (Uganda) Limited Board of Directors |url=https://www.imbankgroup.com/ug/about-us/directors/ |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=I&M Bank Uganda |language=en-US}} == Activities == Ron contributed to the development of the Uganda's Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP); a digital platform that facilitates communication between investors and government agencies. {{Cite web |date=2023-12-14 |title=Electronic Investors Protection Portal Launched - State House Uganda |url=https://statehouse.go.ug/electronic-investors-protection-portal-launched/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |language=en-US}} It was launched in December 2023 by President [Yoweri Museveni](/source/Yoweri_Museveni). Ron is a co-founder of Uganda Connect, an initiative that promotes Uganda exports. In July 2023, the initiative opened Uganda's first trade hub in Serbia which was launched by President [Yoweri Museveni](/source/Yoweri_Museveni).{{Cite web |last=Byemboijana |first=Muhamadi |date=2023-07-26 |title=Uganda to Launch First Trade Hub in Serbia in Global Experiential Brand & Marketing Drive |url=https://softpower.ug/uganda-to-launch-first-trade-hub-in-serbia-in-global-experiential-brand-marketing-drive/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=SoftPower News |language=en-US}} == Impact on e-commerce == Ron often described as Uganda's "father of e-commerce," his journey began when he returned to [Uganda](/source/Uganda) and launched Hello Food in 2013. Despite the challenges, Hello Food won the Best E-Commerce Service award at the Digital Impact Awards for two consecutive years, this facilitated to being acquired by [Jumia](/source/Jumia) in 2016.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-03 |title=Hello food awarded Best E-commerce service award |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/dining-recipes/hello-food-awarded-best-e-commerce-service-award-1622210 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Monitor |language=en}} In 2021, Hello Food raised $100M for expansion.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-02 |title=Hellofood Raises $100M in expansion drive |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/markets/hellofood-raises-100m-in-expansion-drive-1611388 |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Monitor |language=en}} As East Africa Managing Director for [Jumia](/source/Jumia), Ron tackled challenges, advocated for regulatory reforms and development of digital commerce infrastructures. Mobile phones became the most popular and revenue-generating items. {{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2019-04-08 |title=Jumia Mobile Week Kicks Off Today Till April 21 |url=https://pctechmag.com/2019/04/jumia-mobile-week-kicks-off/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=PC Tech Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=The Publicist |date=2022-06-09 |title=RON KAWAMARA: Today if you go to Glovo, Safe Boda, Uber, we are proud that leaders there came through Jumia ecosystem |url=https://publicisteastafrica.com/ron-kawamara-today-if-you-go-to-glovo-safe-boda-uber-we-are-proud-that-leaders-there-came-through-jumia-ecosystem/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Publicist East Africa |language=en-US}} As CEO of Jumia Uganda, Ron a 2019 partnership with [Liberty Insurance](/source/Liberty_Mutual) to provide one-year insurance on purchases.{{Cite web |last=Tech |first=P. C. |date=2019-10-30 |title=Jumia Black Friday Launched, Predicted to be Bigger Than Predecessors |url=https://pctechmag.com/2019/10/jumia-black-friday-2019-launched/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=PC Tech Magazine |language=en-US}} He witnessed the listing of first African tech company on the [New York Stock Exchange](/source/New_York_Stock_Exchange) for [Jumia](/source/Jumia) in 2019.{{Cite news |date=2019-04-16 |title=Jumia in bullish mood after listing on NY Stock Exchange |url=https://nilepost.co.ug/news/41749/jumia-in-bullish-mood-after-listing-on-ny-stock-exchange}} During [COVID-19](/source/COVID-19), Ron guided Jumia Uganda in providing services when physical stores were closed. He led a partnership with the [UNDP](/source/United_Nations_Development_Programme) to implement the Jumia Food Vendor App, an e-commerce platform aimed at supporting MSMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |title=Covid-19: UNDP, Jumia partner to link market vendors with consumers online |url=https://nilepost.co.ug/news/74422/covid-19-undp-jumia-partner-to-link-market-vendors-with-consumers-online}} == Advocacy == Ron advocated for relief in internet taxation, import tariffs, and the need for regulatory frameworks for tech startups economy.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-23 |title=Bring down Internet costs, Jumia's Kawamara asks govt |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/prosper/bring-down-internet-costs-jumia-s-kawamara-asks-govt-3522022 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Monitor |language=en}} He believe in an idea that entrepreneurship can be a solution to critical challenges in Uganda's education, health, and transport sectors.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-26 |title=Ecommerce in Uganda: Online Shopping During the COVID-19 Era by Ron Kawamara of Jumia - MarcoPolis |url=https://marcopolis.net/ecommerce-in-uganda-online-shopping-during-the-covid-19-era-by-ron-kawamara-of-jumia.htm |access-date=2024-10-19 |language=en-US}} In 2024, Ron joined other executives in advocating for establishment of indigenous patient capital and a cross-border African Investment Bank to retain local capital, reduce reliance on foreign investment, and drive sustainable economic growth in [Uganda](/source/Uganda) and the region.{{Cite news |title=Uganda Moves Towards Establishing Indigenous Patient Capital and African Investment Bank |url=https://nilepost.co.ug/index.php/news/192888/uganda-moves-towards-establishing-indigenous-patient-capital-and-african-investment-bank}} In 2024, Ron, as Vice Chairman of the Uganda Tourism Board, advocated for more targeted tourism investments, emphasizing the need to prioritize infrastructure development within national parks, the [Source of the Nile](/source/Nile), [Lake Victoria](/source/Lake_Victoria), and other tourist sites.{{Cite news |title=Tickling the monkey on the back of Shs290bn tourism budget |url=https://www.nilepost.co.ug/tourism/203894/tickling-the-monkey-on-the-back-of-shs290bn-tourism-budget}} == Personal life == Ron is married to Cynthia Tumwine and tied the knot on 21 December 2019.{{Cite web |last=Asingwire |first=Mzee |date=2022-08-30 |title=Tumwine's daughter says her marriage is one of her late father's 'proudest memories' |url=https://www.pulse.ug/entertainment/celebrities/tumwines-daughter-says-her-marriage-is-one-of-her-late-fathers-proudest-memories/mzzmtcb |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Pulse Uganda |language=en}} He is a cousin to [King Oyo](/source/Rukidi_IV_of_Tooro) of [Tooro Kingdom](/source/Tooro_Kingdom).{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgU5Ob4ie-4 |title=Jumia UG boss' wedding in Fort Portal |date=2020-01-16 |last=Paramount Images Studio Uganda |access-date=2024-11-03 |via=YouTube}} == References == {{DEFAULTSORT:Ron Kazooba Kawamara}} Category:Living people Category:1986 births Category:University of California, Berkeley School of Information alumni Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford Category:Ugandan business executives --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ron Kawamara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Kawamara) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Kawamara?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.