For many years, I stood at the gates of other people’s success—quite literally.
I was a gatekeeper in Kampala, earning just enough to feed my family and pay rent for a single room in one of the city’s slums. Every day, I would watch people drive in with expensive cars, talk about business deals, and build beautiful homes—while I opened and closed the gate for them. Deep inside, I dreamed of having a better life. But with the little money I earned, those dreams felt out of reach.
I had a wife and two children, and many nights I came home with empty pockets. I would hear my children asking their mother, “Why don’t we have clothes like other kids?” or “Why can’t we have toys?” Those words broke my heart.
I started to feel like poverty was my destiny.
One day, I had a long conversation with a delivery driver who often came to the property. He told me how he started a small business with savings from his job. That night, I couldn’t sleep. I began to think—What if I could do the same?
So I made a decision: I would start saving a small amount each week, even if it was just a few shillings. It took discipline and sacrifice. I stopped unnecessary spending and took on extra shifts, sometimes working late into the night.
After two years of saving, I had enough money to buy a secondhand motorcycle. I started a boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) business. I kept my gatekeeping job during the day and rode passengers in the early mornings and evenings. Business was tough, but I pushed through.
Soon, I saved enough to buy a second motorcycle, then a third. I hired trusted riders to operate them. By the end of the third year, I had a small fleet of five boda-bodas, bringing in steady income.
With the profits, I ventured into small-scale real estate. I bought a plot of land on the outskirts of Kampala and built a few rental units. They filled up quickly.
Encouraged by my success, I registered a company and officially left my gatekeeping job. It was not easy—there were setbacks, financial losses, and moments of doubt—but I kept going.
Today, I run multiple businesses in transport, rentals, and retail. I have employed over 30 people, and I give back by sponsoring children’s education in my former neighborhood.
To anyone who feels stuck in poverty, I say this: Don’t give up. Dream big, but start small.
Your current situation does not define your future. What matters most is your mindset, your willingness to work hard, and your faith that things can change. If I could move from guarding other people’s gates to owning my own businesses, you can too.
My journey from a gatekeeper to a Kampala tycoon was not a straight line. It took time, effort, and a lot of learning. But the reward has been freedom—freedom to provide for my family, to inspire others, and to live the life I once thought was only meant for others.