Meet Namunswa Alma D | Ugandan Business Entrepreneur and founder Mummy Gadgets

We had the good fortune of connecting with Namunswa Alma D and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Namunswa, what do you attribute your success to?
In a world saturated with advertisements, customers crave trust and relatability. From the very beginning, when I was delivering gadgets from my car, I wasn’t just selling a product; I was building a community. I shared my journey openly on platforms like TikTok the successes, the setbacks, the late nights, and the small victories. I showed up not as a distant corporate entity, but as “Mummy Arleena,” a real person they could know and trust.

This authenticity became our brand’s heartbeat. It transformed customers into a loyal community that grew with us, from our first small shop in SP Plaza to our larger space in New Pioneer Mall, and now to our exciting new venture, the Mummy G Kids Hub.

While factors like product quality, strategic timing, and hard work are absolutely vital, they are amplified exponentially by a genuine relationship with your audience. People don’t just buy from us; they buy into a story and a mission they believe in. They know we truly care about empowering their children’s education. That unwavering commitment to authentic connection is the foundation everything else is built upon. It is what sets us apart and continues to be our greatest driver of growth.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career journey is a testament to the power of starting with what you have and remaining relentlessly authentic. I didn’t follow a traditional path. With a degree in Ethics and Human Rights from Makerere University, my future seemed charted for a different field. But life had other plans. The COVID-19 pandemic was a crucible of uncertainty, but also the catalyst for Mummy Gadgets.

It began not in a boardroom, but in the boot of my car. I saw a pressing need: children were home, and parents were desperate for engaging, educational tools. I started making deliveries around Kampala, connecting directly with families. That grassroots foundation—looking my customers in the eye and understanding their needs—became the soul of my brand.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. The road was paved with challenges. I faced cash flow constraints, where the cost of fuel for a delivery could eclipse the profit. I battled skepticism about the very niche of educational gadgets. Scaling up introduced a new set of hurdles, from complex international supply chains to the volatile exchange rate. Perhaps the toughest challenge was the transition from a solo “hustler” to a leader who had to build a team and learn to delegate a vision I had nurtured so closely.

So, how did I overcome these challenges? I leaned into my greatest asset: authentic connection. I turned to social media, not with polished ads, but with real stories. I shared the struggles and triumphs as Mummy Arleena, creating a community, not just a customer base. This genuine rapport built trust that no large marketing budget could buy. Every challenge was met with a lesson: cash flow problems taught me financial discipline, supply chain issues taught me strategic planning, and the transition to leadership taught me the power of trusting a team.

What sets me apart is this unique “phygital” model. My brand is a seamless blend of a physical product business and a digital-first community. People don’t just buy a STEM kit; they buy into a journey they feel a part of. This has been key to our growth, from our first shop at SP Plaza to our current location at New Pioneer Mall, PA11.

I am most proud and excited about our evolution and impact. I’m proud of every award, like being named a top gadgets distributor, but I’m infinitely more proud of the messages from parents about their child’s renewed love for learning. I am incredibly excited about our next chapter: the upcoming launch of the **Mummy G Kids Hub**. This is more than a store; it’s a dedicated space designed to be a wonderland for young minds, a physical manifestation of our mission to make learning an adventure.

The lessons I’ve learned are simple but profound:
1. Start before you’re ready.
2. Your authentic story is your most valuable currency.
3. Every obstacle is a lesson in disguise.

What I want the world to know about my brand and my story is that Mummy Gadgets is proof that a modern, impactful business can be built on a foundation of genuine human connection. It’s a story that started from the ground up, driven by the belief that every Ugandan child deserves access to the tools that will unlock their potential. My story isn’t just about selling gadgets; it’s about empowering a generation, one curious mind at a time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A Week in Kampala with Mummy Arleena: The Ultimate Blend of Buzz & Serenity

This itinerary is designed to show you the real heartbeat of the city, from the places everyone knows to the local secrets I love.

Day 1: Arrival & A Taste of the City
Afternoon: Settle in, then head straight to Cafe Javas for a late lunch. It’s a Ugandan institution reliable, delicious, and the perfect spot to decompress and people-watch.

Evening: A relaxed first night. We’d grab drinks at The Lawns in Kololo for some chilled vibes, good music, and a beautiful outdoor setting under the stars.

Day 2: The Heart of the City – History & Commerce
Morning: Dive into history at the Uganda Museum to understand the country’s cultural heritage. Then, we’d pay our respects at the Bahá’í Temple the only one of its kind in Africa. The serene gardens and stunning architecture are breathtaking.

Afternoon: Lunch at 2K Restaurant in the city center for authentic, local Ugandan food (their matoke and luwombo are a must-try!). Then, I’d show them the hustle and bustle of Pioneer Mall and the surrounding areas—my own business turf!

Evening: Dinner at The Square in Industrial Area for a more upscale experience with a diverse menu.

Day 3: Nature’s Escape – The Source of the Nile
All Day: We’d take a day trip to Jinja! It’s a must-do. We’d stand at the Source of the Nile, take a boat ride, and if my friend is adventurous, maybe try some mild white-water rafting or simply watch the daredevils. Lunch would be by the river at a spot like The Black Lantern.

Evening: Return to Kampala, tired but happy. A low-key dinner at a local favorite like Nando’s for some comforting flame-grilled chicken.

Day 4: Arts, Crafts & Local Flavors
Morning: Explore the Ndere Cultural Centre grounds and then head to the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine for a powerful historical and architectural experience.

Afternoon: Lunch at Czyns Platter for amazing Indian-Ugandan fusion. Then, it’s shopping time! We’d hit the Acacia Mall for mainstream stores, but the real treasure is the Buganda Road Craft Market for souvenirs, fabrics, and handmade jewelry.
Evening: Experience the legendary Nightlife. We’d start with cocktails at Bubbles O’Learys for a classic expat/pub feel, then maybe hit a club like Casablanca or Guinness House to dance the night away.

Day 5: A Royal Experience & Lakeside Serenity
Morning: Visit the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial grounds of the Buganda kings. It’s a profoundly important cultural site.

Afternoon: Head to Ggaba Landing Site for a lively, colorful glimpse into the life of local fishermen. From there, we’d find a boat to take us to Ssese Islands for an overnight trip (or just a day trip if time is short). We’d relax on the beaches of Lake Victoria, swim, and unwind.

Evening: Freshly grilled tilapia and a cold Nile Special beer right by the lake as the sun sets. Pure magic.

Day 6: Modern Kampala & My World
Morning: After returning from Ssese, we’d have a leisurely brunch at Java House in Garden City.

Afternoon: I’d give them a personal tour of my world! We’d visit the Mummy G Kids Hub at Pioneer Mall, see the gadgets, and feel the energy of the business I’ve built. Then, maybe some relaxed shopping at Garden City Mall.

Evening: A final, special farewell dinner at The Mist rooftop bar and restaurant. It has the best panoramic views of the city the perfect place to reflect on an amazing week.

Day 7: One Last Taste & Departure
Morning: A quick trip to a local market to buy some Rolex (the famous Ugandan chapati and egg roll) for breakfast on the go before heading to the airport.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, and I love the spirit of this question. It’s a powerful reminder that no one builds a dream in a vacuum. While so many have played a part, if I were to dedicate a special shoutout, it would be to two interconnected pillars: The Ugandan Parent and My First Fifty Customers.

In the early days, when Mummy Gadgets was just an idea and a boot full of products, it was the Ugandan parents who took a chance on me. They saw a young woman with a dream, often meeting me in parking lots or at arranged spots, and they trusted that the educational gadgets I was selling were worth their hard-earned money. That initial trust was everything. It was the fuel that kept my car running and my spirit fired up.

Specifically, my first fifty customers deserve their own trophy. They were more than just customers; they were my unofficial focus group and my most passionate ambassadors. They gave me immediate feedback, told their friends and family, and their belief in my vision was the proof of concept I needed to keep going. They are the reason I moved from the boot of my car to my first shop at SP Plaza.

Their early support was the seed. Their continued loyalty as we’ve expanded to Pioneer Mall and now to the Mummy G Kids Hub is the water and sunlight. So, this shoutout is for every parent who believed in the importance of educational play, and for those first fifty who saw potential where others saw a risk. You are the foundation this brand was built on, and I am forever grateful.

Website: https://www.mummygadgetsug.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mummy.gadgets/

Linkedin: https://ug.linkedin.com/in/alma-namunswa-d-106946289

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MummyGadget1/albums/256432310493947/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MummyGadgetsug

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mummyarleena