Asiki to awake Arua’s sleepy business gem

THE newly-elected mayor of Arua, Charles Asiki, believes education is the key to change. “The more you are educated,” he says, “the more your mind is opened, and the more receptive you are to new ideas.”

Asiki learned the value of education at an early age. His father, Daniel Ondoga, was a primary school teacher in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. Asiki’s elder sister, Grace Ajio, was also a primary school teacher, and she took him in while he completed his primary level studies in Vurra.

During secondary school holidays, Asiki used to visit his elder brother, Joseph Buruga, who was an associate professor at Makerere University and also lived there. Buruga was highly respected and was a role model in his village. Asiki was impressed with his brother’s lifestyle and the things he saw at the campus He was determined to “read hard and come to this place.” He did just that. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts, and therafter went back for a post-graduate diploma in Education.
Not only was education important in Asiki’s upbringing, it led him to his future wife, as well. Asiki met Cathy at Muni National Teacher’s College, where they were both working as teacher trainers. They married in 1993, then spent three-and-a-half years in England, Cathy’s home country, before returning to Uganda.

When asked whether they experienced any cross-cultural challenges, Asiki says: “Here in West Nile there are such diverse languages and cultures, that I was used to living with people of different backgrounds. With Catherine, it is only a matter of compromise, now, and I think we have managed that one very well, because if we go somewhere and she orders chips, I say, ‘For me I want enya,’ so she eats her chips and I eat my enya and there is no problem with that.”

During their time in England, Asiki went back to school for a Master of Education in Design and Information Technology. While he was studying, Asiki conceived the idea to start the first computer services and printing shop in Arua. In 1998, they returned to Uganda and launched Descom.
“It picked up very well, because people used to have to go to Kampala to do all their printing and computer work,” Asiki says.

Although he started small, with only one computer, Asiki was motivated by the message in Kenyan author Ngugu Wathiongo’s book A Grain of Wheat which he read at A’ Level for his Literature exams.

“What inspired me in the book was that something as small as a grain of wheat could yield such a big harvest.” This encouraged him to persevere and make Descom into the successful business that it is today.
Over the past several years, Asiki has drawn on his education, business and life experiences to bring about positive developments in Arua.

As captain of the West Nile Golf Club, Asiki has overseen the transformation of the Arua Golf Course from an ugly area of tall, bushy fields, to well-manicured fairways and greens on which he has organised successful golf tournaments. He also played a significant role in attracting the development of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) offices, which, together with a new clubhouse and hotel, are under construction on the former golf club premises.

Asiki is currently the chairman of the building committee of this NSSF project. He is also chairman of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce (Arua District) and Regional Director of the same.

Now, as newly elected Mayor, Asiki has ideas for the development of the area, which demonstrate the importance he places on education.

“I would like to introduce an adult literacy programme to educate those who have not been able to attend school.”

Asiki feels that the high level of illiteracy in Arua contributes to various problems. “If we could teach the adults about sanitation and hygiene, it will reduce some of the problems that are caused by filth, like cholera.”

Asiki adds: “We also need to clean up the town. We could plant some flowers and let it look clean and beautiful.”
Asiki wants the roads repaired and well maintained, and hopes to attract more investment to Arua. “We are the catchment area for people in northeastern Congo and southern Sudan, so there are many opportunities to do business.”

Once again, Asiki’s high value on education is evident in his strategies for implementing these new ideas. He is willing to hear from others, learn from their expertise and make a combined effort to see development in Arua. “I know that I can’t do everything on my own,” he admits.

“I need a lot of cooperation from the people I am leading and friends, so where they see me going wrong, they should advise me. You see, change is cumulative. I add something today, tomorrow you add. Together we can make Arua a better place to live.”