Dr Maggie Kigozi: Obstacles in businesses are jewels

By John Odyek

Dr Maggie Kigozi, director Crown Beverages Ltd has challenged the youth to consider obstacles in starting and running businesses as opportunities to create better lives.

“The world is tough but you too can be tough. You have more advantages than the late James Mulwana had. He did not have a degree but he made it. He always got the information he needed to run business. He was a good time keeper, he liked people who kept time,” Kigozi a former executive director Uganda Investment Authority said.

Kigozi also a business consultant was addressing youth who were attending a youth camp organized by the leadership and entrepreneurship centres of Makerere University Business School(MUBS).

Kigozi made a presentation entitled ‘the tough world of competitive businesses’. She said there were many difficulties in the business environment but people should not focus on them. “Don’t let problems overcome you. How did Mulwana work without electricity?” she asked.

Kigozi explained that a business that is profitable should grow. She said health clinics, schools were also businesses but often the owners think these are not businesses and do not run them well.
She urged the young people to smile. ‘If I look at two people one is smiling and another is gloomy, I will choose the one smiling.

Start small

Start without a house or a Mercedes Benz. In 10 years you can have a Benz and a house,” she stressed.

The camps are intended to address the challenges of young people especially finding employment, succeeding in the work world and contributing to the communities where they live.
The camp tackles issues of leadership, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Fortune Keijuko who attended the camp said he will use the knowledge to help his mother improve her mushroom growing business through cash management and record keeping.

Diana Ntamu, director Entrepreneurship Centre MUBS made a presentation on the skills of an entrepreneur.
She said entrepreneurship involves identifying opportunities and creating value.

“You can look after yourself if you start a business. Young people have to stop depending on their parents for money. Identifying business opportunities is not rocket science,” she noted.

Ntamu said once the business is started it has to be well run.
“You have to be ready to face challenges. It is not about a smooth life,” she said.

She urged young entrepreneurs to avoid doing what everyone else was doing because copying may not necessarily produce good results.

She said entrepreneurs possess many qualities which include risk taking, self- confidence, passion for what they do, need for achievement.

Other qualities are tolerance for ambiguities, pro-activism, determination to succeed, creativity, honesty, trust worthiness, flexibility and open mindedness.

Nelson Tugume chief executive officer Inspire Africa made a presentation on his experience as a young entrepreneur.
Tugume said hard work makes some people become better than others in wealth creation.

Wasswa Balunywa, principal MUBS said if people want to succeed in life they have to ask questions and find answers from people who may have better answers.

He urged the youth to speak to their superiors or potential employers with enthusiasm.

“You will never get a second opportunity to make a first impression”, he counseled.