‘Determination, resilience will lead to your success’

When you want to be successful in life, you need a skill of value to your society and the world at large.

“Therefore, winning is a must, and not an option,” advises Sulaiman Bukenya, a Ugandan entrepreneur and cultural advocate.

According to Bukenya, youth must have winning attitudes and mentality in all situations in order to be successful.

“Through my business, I aim to create jobs, modernise Uganda’s economy, and bridge gaps between rural and urban communities. For your information, knowledge is not a gun, sword, or a bow but the strongest weapon to have if you want to change your life and society," he said.

Bukenya added that individuals with social skills stand a higher chance of getting employed and are capable of employing others.

“Someone who can think more critically and creatively, is a problem solver, communicates well, and is able to make decisions with a positive attitude is the one preferred in the job market,” remarked Bukenya.

Bukenya says his remarks come as thousands of candidates graduate annually from different institutions and universities but fail to get employed due to a lack of sellable skills.

Bukenya, a born of Rubaga Hospital in Kampala, says he was raised in Busega Nateete, a Kampala suburb. 

“Orphaned at a young age, I grew up facing significant challenges but remained determined to build a successful future. My personal struggles shaped my resilience and passion for community empowerment.”

Contributing to society and the country’s economy, Bukenya says he founded Uganda Online Investments Ltd (2015), investing in commercial and residential property development, and supports and organises the Buganda Expo, an annual event that promotes the Kingdom’s traditional crafts, tourism, and innovation. 

“Outside of business, I’m dedicated to community upliftment. I sponsor financial literacy campaigns across Buganda and regularly donate food, clothing, and school materials to underprivileged children. By doing this, I’m emphasising sustainability, encouraging families and youth to become self-reliant and economically informed,” he said.

Bukenya urged the youth to be hungry for knowledge rather than wealth, saying knowledge is permanent, whereas wealth is temporary if misappropriated.

Education

According to Bukenys, he pursued his higher education at Makerere University and later undertook short courses in Media, Ethics, and Governance at the University of Amsterdam and Psychology at Yale University. 

He also holds financial certifications, which contributed to his entrepreneurial acumen.