How Mugisha went from abject poverty to luxury

Godfrey Mugisha, a 54-year-old self-made millionaire, is a living testimony to the transformative power of determination, hard work and resilience in driving someone to greater heights of success.

Born into abject poverty in Kyanduru village, Burungu parish in Mugusu subcounty, Kabarole district, Mugisha’s life story epitomises overcoming adversity to achieve extraordinary success.

Mugisha’s journey reflects the hardships faced by many in rural Uganda. Despite the harsh conditions of his early years, he never gave up on his dreams.

His unwavering determination set him apart, allowing him to transform from a young boy struggling to survive into a symbol of hope and success.

Humble beginnings

Mugisha’s early life was marked by extreme poverty. His father, a driver in the army in the 1980s, struggled to support the family while his mother cared for him and his two siblings.

“We slept on dry banana leaves, and she worked tirelessly to provide for us. My mother could not get support anywhere because my father his father too busy with army work,” he says.

Mugisha’s determination to change his life set him apart. As a young boy, he was already learning the value of hard work, finding creative ways to survive by selling food and small goods.

Even when life seemed unbearably difficult, Mugisha did not see himself as a victim of circumstance. Instead, he embraced every opportunity, no matter how small and worked tirelessly to turn it into something bigger.

At six years old, Mugisha moved in with his grandmother, who sold food at the local market. Even as a child, he supported her business by carrying a heavy basket of food through swampy forests to reach the market.

“The basket was so heavy, and people had to help me carry it. I thought my neck would snap,” he recounts.

Mugisha faced immense hardships from a young age but showed remarkable resilience. By the age of eight, he had taken on responsibilities to support himself and his education after his grandmother could no longer afford school fees beyond Primary Three.

To make ends meet, he sold roasted meat at bars in Fort Portal town and scavenged discarded maize from flour mills.

Mugisha’s resourcefulness was evident in how he turned discarded maize into a source of income. He collected leftover maize from maize mills, often considered waste. Instead of seeing it as unusable, he took the time to clean and wash it thoroughly, ensuring it was safe to consume. He then fried the maize, giving it a crispy texture and appealing taste.

By creatively repurposing what others discarded, Mugisha created a snack that was affordable and enjoyable for his schoolmates.

Mugisha’s entrepreneurial spirit shone as he carefully saved every coin he earned. With determination, he managed to open a small kiosk, where he sold essentials like soap and paraffin.

Mugisha’s perseverance paid off, and he completed Primary Seven in 1986. By then, he had saved sh1,500 — enough to fund a trip to Kampala, a city he believed was full of opportunities.

Mugisha’s determination to maximise every coin of the sh1,500 he had was remarkable. Instead of spending it carelessly, he devised a strategic plan to reach Kampala.

He approached a man who drove a pickup to Kasese and explained his situation, convincing him to assist with a free ride. The man agreed, helping Mugisha to save a significant portion of his limited funds.

Once in Kasese, Mugisha identified the next opportunity, taking a train to Kampala. Using this cost-effective mode of transport, he managed to stretch his meagre resources while achieving his goal of reaching the city.

Reaching Kampala

Arriving in Kampala was a harsh reality check. With nowhere to stay, Mugisha spent his first three nights at the railway station. Fortunately, he reconnected with Resty, a family acquaintance, who took him to his aunt.

Mugisha began by selling sliced pineapples and later hawked plastic bags. Despite the meagre earnings, each experience taught him valuable business lessons.

A breakthrough came when he purchased three lamp glasses at sh1,200. Selling one at sh1,000, he reinvested the profit to expand his business inventory to items such as cups and basins.

Shop owners in Owino market and Kikuubo began trusting him to store goods in their shops. By 1988, Mugisha had saved enough to visit his village as he returned with a bicycle, radio and mattress.

Building a foundation

Back in Kampala, Mugisha’s business flourished. He rented a small house in Katanga, Wandegeya and saved diligently. His savings enabled him to open his first shop, eventually expanding into the hardware business.

Mugisha’s hard work and entrepreneurial spirit caught the attention of Jolly Kahunde, a woman from Kijura village, who later became his life and business partner. With Kahunde’s support, Mugisha knew it was time to focus and grow his ventures.

Mugisha has several businesses giving him multiple sources of income.

He entrusted her with managing their shop while he continued hawking items to maintain and expand their customer base.

Their teamwork proved successful, enabling Mugisha to diversify his business. He began travelling to Kenya three times a week to source high-demand products such as shoes, which sold rapidly.

Together, their dedication and shared effort transformed their small business into a big blossoming enterprise.

However, tragedy struck in 1998 when his shop was robbed, wiping out his savings. Undeterred, Mugisha rebuilt from scratch, selling building materials one item at a time.

Mugisha’s resilience and determination impressed Phenny Mwesigwa, a prominent businessman, who took him under his wing as a mentor. Mwesigwa introduced him to valuable networks, creating new opportunities that significantly boosted Mugisha’s business ventures.

He recalls how Mwesigwa’s trust extended to his family and friends. Eventually, Mwesigwa entrusted him with managing his petrol station, overseeing fuel trucks and movements. Mugisha excelled in this role, proving his reliability and opening doors to even greater opportunities.

A new chapter in the US

In 2003, he had the chance to fly to the US. While on the plane, his heart told him not to return to Uganda.

“My boss helped me with some money to deposit into my account so I could access a visa to the US. Upon arriving in Atlanta, Georgia, I slept at the airport for three days before finding a cheap hotel.

Eventually, I met a taxi driver who helped me travel to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where I met another Ugandan, Kalubert Marulla. He offered me a place to stay for $350 monthly rent,” he narrates.

Within a few days, he met another Ugandan named Mujumba, who helped him find work at a supermarket as a trolley pusher. He worked there for three months and paid his rent for the first two months. But he struggled during the third month and had to contact his sister Diana Kirungi for financial help.

During this time, he befriended Nasur Semasaka, who advised him to secure papers. Although the process was challenging, he succeeded.

“Standing on my own took nearly two years. By then, I had moved into my apartment and secured another supermarket job. Fellow Ugandans encouraged me to study, so I enrolled for short courses and later applied for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training. By the end of 2006, I had graduated among the top students and began working. While working, I returned to school to upgrade and saved as much as possible,” he says.

In 2010, he resigned to pursue truck driving. Training took two-and-a-half years, and during the real training phase, he earned $400 (about sh1.4m). After completing the programme, he got a truck driving job and, within eight months, saved $16,000 (about sh58m).

A friend later introduced him to someone selling a truck at $37,000. He negotiated, offering $16,000 upfront and promising to pay the balance within six months. The seller agreed, and within six months, he owned his first truck.

Investing back home

With his financial stability, Mugisha has become a successful investor and employer, committed to creating opportunities for others.

He owns over 100 acres, where he keeps livestock, grows coffee and vanilla. His agricultural ventures not only provide fresh produce, but also create jobs for more than 80 people, enabling families in both Fort Portal and Kampala to support themselves.

Mugisha has invested in real estate, further diversifying his income sources.

His investments are not just about building wealth for himself, but about creating a lasting positive impact on his community, including creation of jobs.

“I know what it means to struggle,” Mugisha says. His goal is to empower others, helping them break free from poverty through sustainable work and growth as well as continuing to give back to the community as he rises.

Living the dream

One of Mugisha’s most symbolic achievements is his Escalade Limousine, the only one of its kind in Uganda.

To him, the vehicle represents much more than luxury; it is a testament to his journey from humble beginnings to a position of success.

“It is not just a car,” Mugisha says. “It is a reminder of how far I have come and what’s possible with hard work and faith.”

Mugisha with his family in Kampala.

The Escalade Limousine, uniquely expanded by Cadillac with an SUV engine, stands out for its sleek design and advanced features. It serves as an inspiration to others, proving that dreams can be realised with perseverance and determination.

Breaking even

Mugisha’s projects are valued at over sh1b, reflecting his significant investments in various ventures.

However, he emphasises that monetary value is not his primary focus. What matters most to him is the impact these projects have on others.

He views himself as a millionaire not in wealth alone, but in the positive influence and opportunities he creates for those around him.

What others say

Sandra Komuhimbo (daughter): My father is friendly to everyone and values every coin. He wants others to be well, but does not care much about himself. He worked hard to ensure all his children have a good life. Thanks to his efforts, we all received quality education, and are well-established in the US.

Diana Kirungi (sister): My brother’s determination and honesty have paid off. He has never taken anyone’s money, which is why he is successful.