My entrepreneurial spirit ignited early.

High School, Chapati Food Stand, and My First Employee

While still in high school (2008), I was living in a private hostel. One term, the hostel decided to hike the accommodation fees by a whopping 50,000 Ugandan shillings (around $13 today). Outraged by this injustice, I decided to pack my bags, leave the hostel, and find a cheaper alternative. And cheap, I did find... though I learned that "cheap" often comes with a reason, as I discovered later. But that's a story for another time.

The new hostel was significantly cheaper. At the time, my cousin and I had started a small food restaurant. Since he was older, he ran it while I attended school. However, I named the place, and we co-invested in it. I checked by regularly, fueled by my burning entrepreneurial spirit. Inspired and enthusiastic, I was ready to delve into the business world.

With the money I saved from the cheaper accommodation, I also opened a chapati stand near my new hostel. I purchased the equipment, found a location, paid the rent, and prepared for launch. I hired a childhood friend from my home neighbrohood who, unfortunately, couldn't continue his studies. He became my very first employee, and together we started my first official physical business: a chapati food stand. We served the famous Ugandan rolex, kikomando (look them up!), and other baked pastries.

This experience was my first taste of leadership, business operations, managing rent and salaries, and understanding profit margins – all while in my first year of A-levels. On top of that, I still had schoolwork to manage! By the way, my parents didn't know about the business.

From this venture, I not only learned a lot about business at a young age but also gained a great deal. I bought my first phone with my own money, helped some cousins kickstart their chip restaurant with some of my earnings, and understood the immense value these achievements held coming from a developing nation.

So, at this point in my life, I had two small businesses while still in high school. They weren't much, but hey, how many people can say the same about their high school experience?

This early venture fueled my passion for building and growing businesses.

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Wazi Group limited:

A Tech Firm Over 13 Years Strong

In 2011, during my second year at university, I founded Wazi Group Limited with two of my close friends from high school. We're a technology branding firm serving clients in the tech, brand, and supplies industries. Over 13 years, we've had the pleasure of working with more than 65 NGOs, along with numerous private and government entities, across 4 countries in the East African region and Ghana in Western Africa.

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Other Ventures since:

Beyond Wazi Group, I've co-founded and actively participated in the leadership of several other successful ventures:

MIT Podcast (2022):

Since 2001, MIT OpenCourseWare has been creating new opportunities for millions of learners and educators, sharing Open Educational Resources (OER) from MIT and helping to lead a global revolution in free access to knowledge.

In 2022 I created and launched the :"Chalk Radio Presents:  OpenLearners" Podcast with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I co-host this podcast with co creator Micheal Jordan Pilgreen , showcasing stories of learners worldwide who benefit from MIT OpenCourseware resources. You can listen here

Social Gamers Initiative (2019).

Leveraging the power of play!

Wazi Group partnered with Makerere University's School of Psychology to develop the Social Gamers Initiative. This program tackles adolescent mental health in schools through innovative approaches.

Your support can make a difference.

This initiative aligns with my passion for psychology, as discussed in the design and engineering sections.  Consider contributing - your support could have a life-changing impact.

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Big Bear Investment Club (2017):

“Investment today is a source of income tomorrow.” Access to capital is a serious problem in developing nations, and Big Bear was launched to help address that problem.

Founded with my high school classmates, this investment group thrives to this day..

Festa Iqela (2019):

Good times at the source of the Nile, in the heart of the pearl of Africa, my home.

Co-founder and marketing manager for this Annual festival celebrating Ugandan independence on the Nile River.
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Do Buy Dubai (2021):

Online marketplace.

As co-founder, I help this shipping business seamlessly bring goods from Dubai