Overview:
Old Mutual Uganda has launched Thrive, a wellness app it links to rising mental-health cases, citing a report that nearly one in four Ugandans is affected
KAMPALA — Old Mutual Uganda has launched a wellness app that it presents as a response to rising mental-health cases in the country, citing a government report that it says found nearly one in four Ugandans affected.
The company pointed to the National Planning Authority’s State of Uganda Population Report 2025, themed “Mental Health: A Silent Emergency”. According to Old Mutual, the report found that mental-health cases rose by more than 71 per cent between 2021 and 2024.
The app, Thrive by Old Mutual, was unveiled on Saturday at MoTIV in Bugolobi, Kampala. The company said it brings mental, financial, physical and nutritional wellness resources together on one platform, arguing that money worries, physical health, diet and mental wellbeing are connected and should not be treated separately.
Customers, partners, wellness professionals and fitness groups attended the launch. Activities included meditation, yoga and relaxation sessions, discussions on mental and financial wellness, fitness sessions and nutrition consultations.
Andrew Makumbi, managing director of Old Mutual Insurance Uganda, said the app marked a shift for the insurer from responding after something goes wrong to engaging customers earlier.
“Insurance has always been about protecting what matters to people. However, protection should also mean helping customers reduce risk, build healthier lifestyles and make choices that strengthen their overall wellbeing,” Makumbi said. “Thrive enables us to engage with customers before a difficult moment occurs.”
Patrick Kimathi, managing director of Old Mutual Life Assurance Uganda, said everyday habits shaped long-term security.
“A secure future is shaped by the decisions we make every day, how we look after our health, how we manage our finances and how intentionally we plan for tomorrow,” Kimathi said.
Zac Kisesi, managing director of Old Mutual Investment Group Uganda, said financial wellbeing was part of a person’s overall wellbeing.
“Financial wellbeing is not simply about how much money a person earns; it is about the confidence to make informed decisions, plan for the future and steadily work towards the life you want,” Kisesi said.
The company said it plans to let users earn benefits and vouchers from selected partners for completing wellness challenges on the app. Its statement did not name the partners or say when the rewards would be available.
Old Mutual also cited the Uganda Communications Commission’s Q2 2026 Market Performance Report. According to that report, active mobile internet subscriptions rose from 17.9 million in March to 19.7 million in June 2026, an increase of about 10 per cent in one quarter.
The app is available free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.