TMS Ruge
Cofounder / Senior Project Manager, UMPG
TMS Ruge was born in Masindi, Uganda and grew up in Uganda, Kenya and the US. Capitalizing on his understanding of different cultures and markets, Ruge has become a successful global social entrepreneur.
Through Project Diaspora—an organization he co-founded in 2007 to motivate, engage and mobilize the African Diaspora to take an active role in Africa’s development—he runs an indigenous farmers’ business (UMPG) in Masindi and advises a women’s jewelry making co-operative (Women of Kireka) in Kampala.
A technology enthusiast, Ruge has written and spoken extensively on the need to invest in Africa’s ICT sector. Ruge also runs a photography and web design business. He graduated with a Bachelors in Communication Design from the University of North Texas.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello TMS Ruge,
I have read your postings of 2008 about Aloe Vera cultivation and Masindi farmers. What is the situation at present?
Joe
Hi Joe,Aloe Vera industry here has pretty much died out because there is no processing facility in the country and we were unable to install one because the aloe market was very saturated globally so there was no market potential.The crop grows surprisingly well here but unless there is investment into the whole production chain ($2 -$5 million investment), availability is next to nil.Currently, UMPGL (http://umpgl.com) is doing very well setting up Moringa production in Masindi.Thanks for checking in.
Great work Teddy!
Thanks Max
Well done Teddy. Africa needs more people like you!
Thanks very much for this initiative! I wish i had known it earlier, i would have joined earlier but hope to join you people soooon! I head a group of young positives in Kawempe one of divisions of Kampala City.