#FeedTheStreets; A tale of a 36 years old Noelinah who has mothered hundreds in 20 years!
On 29th April, Feed the Streets visited Noelinah Nakaggwa and over 51 dependents that she takes care of.
A woman so kind that even when she is disabled, through her hands hundreds have been raised and restored. Many of those she takes care of were turned refugees in their own country, they were abandoned, denied, abused, beaten to a point of death simply because they are either deaf, lame #disabled! We stand together to fight for the freedom and well-being of refugees around the world!
Our mission is to reduce homelessness – one step at a time – firstly, through providing food and soul guidance to those most in need.
Feed The Streets is proudly supported by Mr. Rune Edvardsen, Bukenya UK, #Riham | Hariss International Limited, #Movit Products Limited,
HiPipo and Ugachick.
We salute thousands of women that are actively involved in transforming Uganda and the world at large.
As part of global activities to celebrate the International Women’s Day and the Women’s Month of March, HiPipo, for the very first time, released its list of 50 most Influential Women in Uganda today. This list was contained in the first Money Magazine, which went on the market at the end of March.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines influence as “the ability to have an effect on people or events.”
The 50 women featured here are some of those having a positive effect on people and/or events in Uganda.
Picked from both the private and public sector, the women profiled here include seasoned entrepreneurs, reputable board members and senior executives, respected civil servants, successful politicians, steadfast activists, active diplomats, outstanding members of selected royal families and renowned religious leaders. Some are not Ugandan!
To come up with the 50 most influential women, our team looked at over 300 women; weighing the influence/impact of their work on society. In no particular order, here are the 50 most influential women as per our research.
Janet Kataaha Museveni – Minister of Education and Sports.
Born in June 1948, Janet has been Uganda’s First Lady since 1986. She is currently the Cabinet Minister of Education and Sports, one of the most significant ministries in the country. Before this, she served as Minister for Karamoja Region Affairs and represented Ruhaama in parliament.
Janet Museveni is undoubtedly the most powerful woman in Uganda today.
Prof Dr Maggie Kigozi
Agnes Atim Apea – Founder and CEO of Hope Co-ops.
Sylvia Nagginda, Nnabagereka/Queen of Buganda.
Barbara Mulwana: chairperson UMA also executive director Nice House of Plastics.
JULIAN ADYERI OMALLA – DELIGHT UGANDA.
PRUDENCE UKKONIKA: BELLA WINE
ROSEMARY SSENABULYA – ED FEDERATION OF UGANDA EMPLOYERS (FUE).
MARIA KIWANUKA – ECONOMIST, BUSINESSWOMAN
BARBARA OFWONO – VICTORIOUS EDUCATION
Dr Naiga Gudula Basaza: businesswoman
TERESA MBIRE – SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR
MARIAM LUYOMBO – DIRECTOR TAIBAH SCHOOLS
NOERINE KALEEBA – CO-FOUNDER TASO
VERONICAH GLADYS NAMAGEMBE – PRIDE MICROFINANCE LIMITED MD
ANNET MULINDWA NAKAWUNDE – FINANCE TRUST MD
SARAH ARAPTA – CITI BANK MD
Rebecca Kadaga – Speaker of Parliament
Winnie Kiiza – Leader of Opposition
MRS YOGI BIRIGWA: SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS COUNTRY MANAGER FOR UGANDA AND RWANDA.
JENNIFER SEMAKULA MUSISI – KCCA ED
DORIS AKOL – URA COMMISSIONER GENERAL
ALLEN KAGINA – UNRA ED
JOLLY KAGUHANGIRE – UIA ED
DONNA ASIIMWE KUSEMERERWA – NDA ED/SECRETARY TO THE AUTHORITY.
JUSTICE IRENE MULYAGONJA – IGG
JOSEPHINE KASALAMWA WAPAKABULO – CEO UGANDA NATIONAL OIL COMPANY.
CATHERINE BAMUGEMEREIRE – JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL
Josephine Okot, Founder Victoria Seeds
Judy Rugasira Kyanda – Knight Frank UG MD.
Alice Karugaba – Nina Interiors
Regina Mukiibi – Uganda Funeral Services MD
JUSTICE JULIA SEBUTINDE – JUDGE
Anne Amelia Kyambadde – Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and MP
Eng Winnie Byanyima – Diplomat, Politician.
Monica Azuba Ntege – Minister of Transport and Works
Dr Jane Acheng – Minister of Health
Eng Irene Muloni – Minister of Energy and Minerals
Miria Matembe – Politician/ Activist
Justine Kasule Lumumba – NRM Secretary General
Betty Amongi – Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Planning
Betty Nambooze – MP Mukono Municipality
Dr Specioza Kazibwe – First Female Vice President in Africa.
Betty Oyella Bigombe – World Bank.
Sophia Namutebi – Leader Uganda Traditional Healers, Businesswoman.
Best Kemigisa – Tooro Kingdom Queen
Imelda Namutebi – Pastor
Esther Kazinda, aka, Eseza Omuto – Media Personality
Barbara Kaija – Vision Group Editor in Chief
Sheebah Karungi – Musician.
Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro – First Female Graduate in Uganda
Ambassador Deborah R. Malac – US Ambassador to Uganda
The Mobile Money business is one of the fastest growing sectors in Uganda, with telecoms giving banks a run for their money. Boasting of over 10 million subscribers, MTN Uganda is at the forefront of the Mobile Money revolution. Money’s Consolate Kyarikunda interviewed Elsa Muzzolini, MTN’s general manager Mobile Financial Services, about the sector performance and prospects. Here is how it went down.
Since its launch in 2009, MTN Mobile Money has become a big part of Uganda’s financial inclusion drive. How many subscribers does MTN Mobile Money have currently? How many of these are active? How much money has the service handled so far?
Currently MTN Mobile Money has close to 10 million subscribers, with more than five million active. From the total on the platform including the telecom, and the subscribers, the service has handled close to Shs 400 billion.
From 2010 to early 2013, there were several reports around MTN Mobile Money fraud with some MTN staff accused of conniving to steal this money. Even though MTN later clarified that the losses never affected the customers, this tainted the service and painted it in bad light. Have these gaps been completely dealt with? How safe is mobile money today?
In any lucrative business, people will always think about cheating. Since that incident, we have put several lines of control in the mobile money team that easily detect anomalies. There is regular internal and external auditing too. The way we are today, we have made the life of a cheater harder internally. I believe we have managed that risk and the system is safe.
Most of the risk is on the agents out there. Sometimes they change their employees quite often and do not give them adequate training. That is why I caution them to be more conscious. It may be very expensive but invest in security first. To all users; be protective of your pin. Always check your balance immediately for complete transaction evidence.
MTN has had an ESCROW partnership with Stanbic Bank since Mobile Money inception. Is it a marriage of convenience because of the regulatory mandates or is it MTN’s choice to be more effective?
It was a commercial decision with one of the biggest banks. Very few banks then were willing to enter into such a partnership thinking it would create stiff competition for them, but Stanbic bank was ready and they understood the mobile money operation.
Why has it been only Stanbic for a long while, yet we understand your competitors work with several other banks?
We have a very good relationship with Stanbic bank and it met all the MTN regulations and still does meet all our needs. It also has a good relationship with all the regulatory bodies in Uganda. With Stanbic bank, there is no friction, no fines, and no audit issues among others. So far, we are very satisfied with the service it is providing us.
Wouldn’t more ESCROW accounts make the mobile money eco systems more effective?
Probably. It would create more opportunity to get more float. It would be more convenient for MTN to make sure that they are compliant and for the agent to get easier access to more float because we cannot plant money elsewhere.
In 2016, you rolled out MTN MoKash; an innovative mobile financial product. How is it performing?
MoKash has over 3.5million subscribers with 1.7million active. Since its inception, MoKash has handled over Shs 50 billion with an average loan of Shs 25,000. Most of the money that has been disbursed has been recovered.
Minus it allowing users to save and borrow money, MoKash has a loan limit challenge. Many users are complaining of very low loan limits even when they pay promptly and religiously. For instance, there is a user who has used the service for a full year, has never defaulted but her loan limit is still Shs 15,000. Yet there is another one who registered last month, but his loan limit is Shs 50,000. How do you come up with these loan limits?
This is an example of credit limit, and it is one hundred percent managed by CBA Bank. If it was MTN doing it, it would probably be different. But because we have partnered with these banks and they took on this opportunity, they apply so many different criterions like age, gender, so forth. I believe they do this to counter any anomalies. The bank takes on the full responsibility of applying loan limits and setting the rates. We don’t give every data like the personal details of our subscribers to the bank. What I think happens in this kind of situation is that they consider like how much airtime you use, how much mobile money you usually have that meets this criterion, how many reimbursements you make, if you are a very loyal customer to MTN etc. We want to change and improve our clients’ credit limits because the example cited above shouldn’t be the case.
Do MoKash Loan limits relate in any way to someone’s other loan obligations: for example, if you are servicing a loan in another bank, does it affect your MoKash loan limit?
Here, the Credit Reference Bureau comes into play. One’s loans in other banks can be used to affect one’s loan limit for MoKash. If one has a bad debt in another bank, this will probably lower your score. However, MTN challenges banks with different targets because MoKash and typical Bank loans serve different objectives and should be handled quite differently. MoKash is actually a complementary product to the banks as we give small loan amounts needed immediately that the banks do not and can’t give.
Your biggest competitor, Airtel Uganda, last year rolled out Wewole – a micro-loan product. Its users praise it for having a more progressive loan limit, with individuals’ loan amounts growing significantly every month. Why can’t you borrow a leaf?
Airtel’s product is not managed by a bank. So, you will find that the services we offer do not have the same rates and prices. You will find that the interest rates given by Airtel keep changing regularly, whereas with MTN, there are no surprises when it comes to the interest rates. It is more stable; you will find that as the rate was yesterday, it is still the same today, for a given period of time, which is not the case with Airtel.
Following its huge success within one and a half years, are we likely to see MoKash and other micro-loan productsreplacing bank loans?
All micro-loan products are complementary to the banks. They are more of collaboration than competition or a replacement. These micro-loan products help banks on the digital side as customers push money to bank accounts, and do withdrawals. This collaboration is a commercial agreement with the banks.
MTN recently launched MomoPay as a bold step into merchant payments: How is this expected to help transform Uganda to becoming a cashless economy?
Today, 90% of the customers do cash transactions which are not secure; when they receive mobile money immediately they withdrawal the money, they have to travel to make or collect payments. MomoPay provides a safer way to handle cash; instead of rushing out to receive the money, one receives and keeps the money on the phone, and can make direct payments there. And with no physical cash at hand, MomoPay is also another way of saving money.
What are the categories for merchants expected to sign up for MomoPay? How many merchants have so far signed up for MomoPay?
Every merchant can apply; the subscription is lenient. To date in Kampala only, about 8,000 merchants have signed up for MomoPay.
Remittance and international corridors were expected to be smoother and cost-friendly with digital platforms but customers still perceive digital financial service fees and forex rates to be costly for remittance. What can be done better to change this?
The breakthrough would be opening new corridors to give more options of intervention in Uganda including getting more and more partners from countries such as the UK or USA to send money indirectly in form of remittance. This price facilitation can be expected to improve in the next months.
How much money can someone receive and withdraw in a day?
The maximum amount one can receive is Shs 7 million, and more than Shs 50 million shillings on the bank account. One can do ten transactions in a day. However, any suspicious transactions are reported.
What step have you taken to protect the mobile money agents?
We send persons to agents regularly to educate them and give them warnings about fraud cases/issues and how to protect themselves against such. And I do caution the mobile money agents to be responsible enough and train their employees as a way of strengthening their security.
As a woman, what does it mean leading the country’s biggest mobile finance sector?
It is great to have women in management positions in order to inspire other women, especially in sectors greatly dominated by men. But having an office goes beyond just being a woman; it’s about fulfilling/accomplishing the duties of that office, taking decisions, listening and inspiring your team. I am proud to be a woman in this position as I believe that there is a women style of management that is shaping a more inclusive and aspiring corporate life.
Leading mobile money in Uganda is the occasion drive growth of payments and moving away from a cash economy. This will increase the time-saving capacity of individuals and thus gain productivity; time that would have been spent in collecting money from and making payments in the bank can be used for other productive activities. The lives of both the customer and the merchant will change for better when operating in a cashless economy. In the next few years, I see mobile money as one of the biggest opportunity in areas of providing security, and means of saving both money and time. I embrace innovation for Uganda as a young woman leader.
Do you face any challenges as a woman business leader?
There are 2 main challenges for a woman to take responsibilities: one is you as a woman the limits you impose to your actions and the second one is the attention you give to doubtful perception of you; where people question your capability and whether they should follow your leadership. As a woman in a position of leadership, you should be self-conscious of those 2 bias and continuously question yourself against it. Your reaction to such will determine your success. In such a challenging environment, you set your own rules of operation.
What message can you give to all the young girls out there?
Believe in yourself, think big and stop being a self-depreciating person! Do not give a lot of importance to negative comments from others. And always be willing to take risks and do big things because you can.
Between February 20 and March 2, 2018, three major events happened in Uganda.
First was the Joint East African Community -EAC heads of state retreat on Infrastructure, Health Financing and Development hosted at Speke Resort Munyonyo from February 21-23. This was attended by presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania and Salva Kiir of South Sudan. Rwanda and Burundi presidents sent representatives.
Then came the commissioning of the Busia One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) on February 24, presided over by Presidents; Yoweri Museveni and Uhuru Kenyatta.
Lastly, from February 28 to March 1, the East African Trade Development Forum was hosted by the ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, with Uganda’s vice president – Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi – the guest of honour.
At these three back-to-back events, there were two common features. One was of East African governments working together to develop the region and accelerate EAC integration. The other was TradeMark East Africa!
These three events are just examples of the work that TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), supported by its donor partners, has done in Uganda and the entire EAC since its 2010.
“TMEA is an East African not-for profit Company Limited by Guarantee established in 2010 to support the growth of trade – both regional and international – in East Africa. TradeMark East Africa is focused on ensuring gains from trade result in tangible gains for East Africans,” an introductory message on the TradeMark website states.
True to this, TMEA has over the past years, using funds from donors mainly United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), facilitated trade across the region. Its other funders include USAID and governments of Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Canada and Belgium.
Efficient border crossing to boost trade between Kenya and Uganda with launch of Busia one stop border post.
SEVEN YEARS OF SERVICE.
From 2010 to 2017, TMEA implemented its phase-one across the East African region. In Uganda, it worked with the government to improve trade through investing in enabling infrastructure. Top on the list of the projects it supported in Uganda was the establishment of the Electronic Single Window – a paperless platform that enables traders to have their goods cleared online, thus saving time and money plus eliminating physical contact and corruption.
In a related development, government of Uganda, with support from TMEA, is in the final stages of developing a one-stop portal for export, import and transit information in Uganda. ‘This portal is expected to provide traders with the necessary information to enable them undertake transactions on a single electronic window. The two platforms are, therefore, complementary.’
TMEA also supported the ministry of Trade to implement a mobile USSD and web-based Non-Tariff Barrier reporting system which facilitates the reporting and resolution of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) among trade facilitating institutions. As a result, over 86% resolutions of all NTBs reported through the system have been resolved, a fact that has in turn reduced on the delays and costs of moving goods in and out of Uganda across trading member states.
Uganda’s comprehensive Cross Border Trade Strategy was also commissioned in 2017. Supported by TMEA, the strategy aims at simplifying trade processes for informal traders, especially the women and youths at different border points through information availability and digital empowerment.
Working closely with Uganda Revenue Authority, TMEA also facilitated the implementation of modernized customs business systems such as Customs Management System (ASYCUDA World), Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) and Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS). ‘Since their establishment, these customs modernisation programmes have contributed to a reduction in transit costs from $3,390 to $1,176 and reduced average transit time from 34 days in 2010 to 13 days in 2016. They also reduced clearance time from three days to one day for authorised economic operators (AEO) companies (80 per cent of customs revenue) and collectively contributed to a 48 per cent increase in customs revenue.’
TMEA also supported the construction of three One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) in Uganda: Mutukula OSBP with Tanzania, Busia OSBP with Kenya, Mirama Hills OSBP with Rwanda. ‘These border posts are operating under one-stop controls, which means that a transporter or traveller clears only once, on one side of the border. Since their establishment, at least 50 per cent reduction in border clearance time has been reported by úsers.
Lastly, between 2010 and 2017, TMEA supported improvements in testing by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), set up a Logistics Advocacy Platform and upgraded the Quality Standards for maize – working closely with the Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI).
In a recent address, Amelia Kyambadde, the minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives explained that trade is one of the major pillars in the East African integration process. She applauded TradeMark East Africa for being a reliable EAC trade facilitator, not a mere donor.
“Trade facilitation is critical to the enhancement of competitiveness in the EAC region. Between 2010 and 2017, EAC government ministries, departments and agencies, and private sector stakeholders have made significant efficiency gains in the management of ports and borders. For example, Mombasa Port has seen a 52 per cent reduction in import time and 59 per cent reduction in export time. Similarly, the Dar es Salaam port has seen a 28 per cent reduction in import time and 53 per cent reduction in export time,” Kyambadde said:
“There has been, on average, a decline of 50 per cent in the time it takes to cross borders. The key enablers have been better trade infrastructure – both hard (roads, ports, one-stop border posts), and soft (ICT for trade especially electronic single trade portals and cargo tracking); institutional building (modernisation of customs and revenue authorities); and private sector engagement. TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), her donor partners, the European Union and the governments of the United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, Finland, Norway, the Unites States, and her implementing partners have played an important role in these achievements.”
While launching the Busia OSBP, presidents; Museveni of Uganda and Kenyatta of Kenya were in unison that minus a few improvements needed to make trade much better and safer, TMEA had done a great job for the whole region.
“I thank Trademark EA, President Kenyatta and the government of Kenya for this spirit of cooperation…..” President Museveni said.
Job Creation and Industrialization to dominate Phase Two.
Following the conclusion of the first phase, TMEA recently rolled out phase two, expected to run until 2023.
However, while in phase one TMEA prioritized trade facilitation, phase two will focus more on industrialization and job creation for mainly youths and women.
This change of tact was confirmed by Trademarks key principals. While addressing delegates at the East African Trade Development forum, held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Mr Ali Mufuruki, the TradeMark EA board chair, noted that “in the second phase, we will focus on, not only the trade that comes in to East African region but also on the trade that is going out of East Africa. The second phase will focus on supporting the industrial agenda of the East African region.”
Further, Frank Matsaert, the TradeMark EA group CEO, noted at the same forum that across the East African region, TMEA’s focus in the next five years will be on value addition, job creation, youth and women empowerment.
“We want to help escalate the job creation process across the different sectors. We want to play our part with you in delivering this change across the region. We want to play a dynamic role in the future of East African Community. That is my vision for the future,” he said.
Additionally, Mr Moses Sabiiti, the TMEA country director, in a separate interview noted that: “In Mombasa we are already supporting people in the garment industry. In Rwanda, we have implemented a program promoting logistics. In Uganda, we are designing Gulu, Jinja and Busia hubs.”
He added: “Our aspiration budget is $100 million but we already have UK Pounds 25 million in the budget. We expect a little more from our other development partners.”
To achieve the job creation goal, TMEA will undertake several projects in Uganda.
Under its improved efficiency and capacity of transport and logistics networks plan, it will invest in OSBP improvement at Ntoroko and Goli (DRC), development of cross-border markets (Elegu and Busia), development of the Gulu Logistics Hub, transactional support on Jinja/Malaba private-public partnerships, support the transport funding policy and also invest in further development of Entebbe International Airport.
This will be in addition to more support to the already running projects such as UNBS and private sector quality improvement drives, advocating for a gender responsive trading environment, capacity building, championing regional trade integration and encouraging ICT and innovations, among others.
Sabiiti notes that the projects they are highlighting in phase two will also ensure quality assurance.
“Go to that market and see what is happening. People are literally cleaning the grain every day. Our grain, millions of tonnes are going to Kenya as chicken feed because of poor standards. Surely, we can do something about that. That is why together with the Ministry of Trade, we are working to set up the Border Export Zones where all this grain can be consolidated, cleaned and tested so that when it is exported to Kenya or any other country, it is of good quality and can get traders a better price. These Export zones will benefit all traders.”
“…in the second phase, we will do everything to help tea and coffee traders get earlier to the markets by implementing a trade innovation logistics platform. This means we are able to send our tea or coffee-related documents to the auction, then the coffee or tea will be auctioned even before the export reaches the market. This is how Brazilian coffee is hitting the market earlier than Ugandan coffee. If we can do this, then it will help the entire value chain.”
Considering that Uganda and the entire East African region is grappling with high unemployment and under-employment levels, TMEA is intervention is timely.
Unlike those that came before them, TradeMark must not just talk about job creation, but instead walk the talk. As TMEA rolls out phase two, we will keenly follow and share the results as they come through.
Uganda – EAC TRADE BLOC FACTS.
The East African Region ranks second as Uganda’s export destination after COMESA.
Exports: Uganda’s exports to EAC increased from $642.2m in 2014 to $711.3m in 2017. Uganda mainly exports coffee, tea and spices, cereals, tobacco, sugar, iron and steel.
Imports: Uganda’s imports from EAC have slightly dropped from $684.6m in 2014 to $530m in 2016. Uganda mainly imports salt, sulphur, lime and cement, iron and steel from the EAC region.
Zuena Kirema is the proprietor of Zuena Events and Cakes Limited, a burgeoning business specialising in making some of the best cakes in town and managing top events. HiPipo Money’s Consolate Kyarikunda talked to Zuena, the wife to musician Bebe Cool, and she divulged what makes her businesses tick…
In the past few years, your company has been growing in popularity. But we would like to know, why and when your events management and cakes business start? Who owns this business and how much was invested initially?
It’s funny but I first despised baking! I wanted to go into the tours and travel business but this lady friend of mine I was helping in her bakery business advised me fourteen years ago to stop despising work and do something in which I had genuine interest. Being a celebrity and married to one too, at first I was so concerned about what people would think of me baking cakes. However, with my husband’s advice and support, I opened up my company and started baking about four years ago. I first conducted some research on the equipment needed to open shop and their cost. I found out that they were very expensive. So, for my first investment (since I already had an oven at home), I bought a mixer at Shs 2 million, and I still have it. I should say that I started with about Shs 3million. After that, I started reinvesting my savings from the cakes I sold. Having noticed how serious I was, my husband bought for me a commercial oven of Shs 25million. The events management and decoration business started two years ago. Zuena Kirema owns the Zuena events and cake business.
Why the name Zuena: couldn’t you call it Bebe Cool Cakes, or Gagamel Cakes and Events?? Lol.
Gagamel is an entertainment registered company, and the name “Zuena” was already a brand of its own that had already become imprinted on people’s minds. And I wanted something catchy. Zuena; both the person and the song are very popular.
We have previously seen you trying out several things including singing and boutiques business. What inspired you to settle into Cakes and Events business?
Singing and boutiques tended to be hectic and a waste of time, especially for me as a mother. Spending much of my time away from home and my children was something I failed to reconcile within myself. Also, there was a lot of input and very little output in both businesses. For instance, in the boutiques business, a lot would be spent on taxes and importation that at the end of the day you realise that a lot of effort invested has gone unrewarded. One would rather invest their time and energy in something small and earn something. If your investment is not producing the desired output, think twice about your line of business.
How is business so far?
So good! I am actually overwhelmed by the rate at which the business is picking up. I believe the way I manage it and advertise it has contributed greatly to its growth. Most of my customers are through social media. It is amazing how people trust me to handle their functions from start to end.
In a good month, how many cakes do you sell and how many events do you manage?
In a week I can make between four and six wedding cakes. I have people I work with, but I do the baking myself. For the events, it really depends on the season; some are slow like February and March where I can get to work on two or three events a month. But in peek seasons like from October through December, I can get six or seven weddings or introduction ceremonies a month. I usually operate on a first-come-first-serve basis especially when it comes to decoration.
Your husband and you are celebrities: does this affect your business in any way?
Well, I decided to work from home. I have an outside kitchen for my baking, and a store for all the decoration materials. So, since I work from home, I get to be a mother to my children (who are still so young) and take care of my home at the same time. I cannot afford to be rushing to work and back home every day. However, there are times when the season is so busy for both me and my husband to the extent that we have less time for each other and for the entire family. To ease the pressure, we decided that every Sunday (whether in a busy season or not) is a family day! As a family, we spend that day together mending whatever pieces could be broken.
Many Ugandans believe that your husband – Bebe Cool – is a big earner and thus they don’t expect you to hustle. But it is like your hustle for your every penny just like the other people.
I have been through that life before, when my husband was the sole breadwinner. But doing nothing the whole day is a big punishment to me. I always want to be up and down doing something. Even when I am home, at least I will either be in the kitchen, or cleaning the compound or organising here and there or going to the market. I believe it is my nature; I just can’t sit and wait. And on top of that, one has to plan ahead, especially when you have a family. God forbid, if anything happened to the breadwinner, you need to have a fall-back position. You cannot wait for one person to bear it all.
Recently, your husband was involved in an online war of words with musicians and their fans. Along the way, some people picked you out and chose to channel their frustration to you and your business: Did you hear/read about this? How did you feel?
I don’t really pay attention to such behaviour. Previously, I would cry over it. But now I guess I am stronger and mature. So, whatever was said did not affect me or my business in any way.
Your husband is on the record for stating that a cake baked by Zuena Events and Cakes goes for $400-500 (that’s about Shs 1.5 million and above). Please clear the air. How much is your cheapest birthday cake? How much is your cheapest wedding cake?
Not really! Actually, the prices depend on the number of tiers, side cakes and the design. The more tiers and side cakes, and the more complex a design is, the higher the price. For instance, a cake with only two tiers is about Shs 500,000. Other cakes such as birthday cakes, baby shower cakes among others range from Shs 60,000 to Shs 200,000 depending on the size.
What was the most expensive cake you have ever sold?
The most expensive wedding cake I have made went for Shs 9million. The centre piece was in the design of a castle; it had ten full tiers and fifty side cakes. The customer was taking it to Juba where the function was.
And, the most expensive birthday cake I have made was of Shs 1million. It had four tiers.
How do you balance work and children/family?
The way you program yourself will help you balance all you have to do. I myself wake up at 5am every day. I prepare what needs to be prepared; get the children to school in time and have my husband’s breakfast ready before he gets out of bed. By 9am, before I enter my bakery, all that I need to do and set in and around the house is done. When one wakes up late, then there will be a lot of rushing and not enough time to accomplish the day’s set goals.
In the next five years, where do you see your business?
To be honest, I really cannot tell but I place all in God’s hands.
What major challenges have you encountered in this line of business so far?
So many orders that usually come in at the same time; for instance, 30 orders for cakes can be received in a week and all are supposed to be delivered on a Saturday. Although I have employees, they are not enough. Another challenge is with clients who tell us to deliver the cake at the last minute, contrary to what was agreed before. So, I do have to find means of delivering the cake in time. Sometimes as you rush, a cake can accidentally get a damage, which means the person transporting it has to return to the bakery for us to fix that damage. Another challenge is the payment mode of some customers, especially fulfilling the last instalment. However, this challenge is not common.
March is the month of women. What message do you have for them about the following?
Work
Do not despise jobs. Do what you are good at; what you are passionate about; what you love.
Marriage
No matter what you are going through, always respect your husband and he will respect you back. Do not try to compete in marriage, no matter how much the other earns. Respect and communication hold a marriage together.
Work-Life-Marriage balance.
The man in marriage comes first. Work can come and go; it can change any time any day, but your man and children are the same. Work is good, but it should not be placed above or before your marriage and family.
As a woman, what challenges do you face while doing your job?
There is some heavy lifting required in my job, but I thank God that I have capable manpower I work with. When it comes to decoration, especially on site, I somehow become a tourist attraction to some people. Being a celebrity, they literally fix their eyes on me, and some go ahead to ask me why I am doing an ordinary man’s work when I should be home relaxing? I usually just laugh.
If you were made minister of gender in charge of women and children, what would be the first thing you would change?
I would recommend and initiate distinct classes for girls as a special program for teenagers to help them acquire knowledge about their personal hygiene in and outside their homes.
A pregnant Zuena a few years ago.
In this emancipation era, do you think women are still below men? Do women still need special treatment at work and generally in life?
Women can compete with men favourably, but not in a home. A man is a man. He deserves his respect. What usually causes issues is that some women confuse respect and gender balance. Yes, women can do what men can do. I have seen female taxi conductors, boda boda riders, even some at building sites, but I do emphasize; in a home, a man is a man and he needs to be respected as such.
Which women do you look up to in Uganda, Africa and World at large and why?
Uganda –
My mother; being a multitasking multitalented woman, it’s from her that I learnt that it is more beneficial for one to wake up early if they are to live an organised life where goals are easily achieved. She would always wake up early, clean the house, prepare us for school, then leave for work (and be at work in time) even when she had a house help.
Africa and the World at large –
Oprah Winfrey; looking at her story, having started from nothing to something brought me much inspiration. People were against her show when she started out, just because she was black. But she always maintained: “Never give up; Follow your dream”.
What would you like to see Bebe Cool achieve and what does he need to make it?
I want Bebe Cool to be known worldwide. He is so hardworking and his music is so great. He is one person that pushes rocks out of his way. He doesn’t give up when he has set a goal. International management – record label would help him become a global icon more easily.
Lastly, give a summary of who you are.
Zuena Kirema is a simple down-to-earth soft-spoken woman with a soft spot for children. She is God-fearing, 100 per cent proud mother of six (Allan, Alpha, Beata, Caysan, Dean and Eman). She is 100 per cent a wife, a baker and decorator; and 100 per cent Bebe Cool.
Carine Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, also founder and current editor-in-chief of CR Fashion Book, once said: “Makeup can help you capture a moment.”
This statement was spot-on and remains relevant, with makeup a very popular item that helps many win hearts, change perceptions, improve ratings and, yes, capture moments. Unfortunately, for those that misuse makeup, the results are regrettable!
Cosmetics – jelly, creams and lotions, etc – are some of the main products used in body makeup. Globally, these are popular products found in almost every household. The ladies love them and so do children and several men.
In Africa, latest available data shows that the biggest cosmetic and other beauty products markets, as measured by the industry cash value, are South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.
In Uganda, the cosmetic industry has registered tremendous growth in the last three decades characterized by aggressive marketing, factory expansions, increased importation and exportation.
While international/imported brands such as Vaseline, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, Clere, Nivea, and Oriflame have dominated the exclusive high class and fast growing middle-class market segments, locally manufactured cosmetics have been the darling for the millions of Ugandans in the mass market – a segment that makes over 80 per cent of the country’s total population.
Over the years, some of the native brands that have shaped the market include Mukwano Jelly, Sirika Baby, Mwana Mugimu, Amagara, Aloesha Organic, Sleeping Baby, Avis, Samona, Sure Deal and Movit.
According to Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), a body that governs local producers, Uganda has more than 20 companies involved in cosmetics, with each manufacturing one or more products.
Information from Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), the country’s official standardization and quality assurance body, indicates that there are about 70 locally manufactured and certified cosmetic products largely sold within Uganda, but with growing exportation for the same.
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The last 15 years have seen local cosmetics manufacturers deploy all tactics to woo potential customers. The tactics include products improvements and aggressive marketing – advertising, promotions, brand ambassadorships and sponsorships.
Aggressive marketing is rooted to the 1990s when Sirika Baby, a fast-growing local cosmetic then, used a song titled Sirikawo Baby by Menton Summer (RIP) and Emperor Orlando to market itself. An improved version of this song including clear promotion messages for this cosmetic product was produced and somewhat became more popular than the original due to its unlimited presence on 88.8 CBS FM’s prime morning show Kaliisoliiso in addition to being played on other fairly popular stations. Since then, almost all big players in this sector have outspent themselves for their products to remain marketable.
Actually, a 2017 Media Ad Spend Analysis prepared by Ipsos Connect, covering 21 sectors, ranked the ‘Hygiene and Beauty Care’ sector as the sixth biggest spender on advertisement in that year. But this spending spree has been ongoing for the last two decades.
Notable spenders in this sector in the past 20 or so years include Sirika Baby, Avis, Samona, Cash Beauty, Sure Deal and Movit.
While the aforementioned companies and others have done significantly well, the last few years have seen Movit take the upper hand in both actual spend and market perception, closely followed by Samona and Sure Deal.
For instance, an online ‘Advertisement of the Year’ poll answered by about 500 people and whose results this publication has seen indicated that Movit’s Baby Junior (read Baby Ndunya) advert was both the best and ‘most popular’ advert of 2017, attracting audience from people across all ages.
Further, according to Ipsos data, in 2015, Movit spent some Shs 13 billion on adverts and was ranked 8th among the country’s Top 15 Media Ads Spending Companies. The same list had Samona coming 15th, having injected about Shs 6.2 billion in advertising.
In 2016, the list of the Top Spending Companies had Movit come 7th with some Shs 13.4 billion used on Media Ad Spend alone.
Lastly, a related Ipsos Connect report indicated that from January to September 2017, among Uganda’s Top 20 Media Ads Spending Companies, Movit ranked 9th, having invested about Shs 10.6 billion on Adverts in nine months.
Analyse matters to do with sponsorships and, again, you will meet cosmetics players in the mix of things. For almost all entertainment concerts (music, comedy and drama) held in Uganda, there is usually a local cosmetic company among the sponsors. The biggest investors here are Movit, Samona, Cash Beauty and Sure Deal.
According to Charlette Kyomuhendo, a beauty products dealer, the cosmetics sector is one that proves Uganda’s potential, whose success should encourage players in other sectors.
“As a dealer, I can tell you that local products are marketable. The producers have done their homework and now bring us good products. Our costumers love results and as long as the product on the market will deliver the expected results, it will be widely bought,” Kyomuhendo said.
“This is further boosted by the fact that manufacturers also do a great advertising job, making it easy for us who directly interact with the end-users.”
In a recent email exchange, Vianney Kushaba, a cosmetics industry consultant who has worked with the likes of Samona, Neem, Nivea, LA-belle, Fa cosmetics and currently with Movit, noted that locally manufactured cosmetics are not only doing well in Uganda, but are also sought-after in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries. This is thanks to presence of favourable trade policies in the region and massive advertising. Kushaba noted that the same is not happening outside COMESA due to anti-business trade barriers there.
“Ugandan cosmetics like Movit products are doing well not only in Uganda but also Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Zambia. We are at the start of this exportation journey and we need government to support the industry through reaching trade agreements with more countries outside COMESA,” Kushaba said.
“Even though the local consumption of locally made products is growing, there are still several people that think imported cosmetics are superior and of better quality. This is just a myth and not necessarily true. Ugandans need to change their attitude and perceptions about Ugandan products. Local manufacturers like Movit are investing billions in quality products and it is only fair that we support them.”
NONCOMPLIANCE
Nonetheless, several players remain entangled in noncompliance battles with their products being confiscated by UNBS and heavy penalties imposed on them.
In an email exchange, Godwin Muhwezi, the principal public relations officer of UNBS, noted that presence of counterfeits on the market is a major issue that UNBS, together with other support agencies, continues to deal with through continuously developing product standards.
“We certify products that have passed our audits and laboratory tests as a quality assurance measure. The UNBS market surveillance team is responsible for monitoring the market to ensure that products on the market meet standards for health and safety and that dangerous products are banned from the market and, if necessary, impose penalties and prosecute culprits,” Muhwezi said.
“Between July and December 2017 alone, the UNBS market surveillance team seized about 232 metric tonnes of goods worth Shs 1.7 billion. These included about 850kgs of cosmetics. The seized goods would have otherwise been detrimental to the health and safety of consumers.”
But noncompliance is not unique to Uganda. Imports currently go through the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) system to weed out those that do not meet Ugandan standards before they cross our borders.
Muhwezi noted that between July and December 2017, under the PVoC program, 4.6 billion products were inspected and 16 million products failed, including cosmetics.
“As a result of UNBS intervention under the PVoC program, we are able to stop 16 million substandard products from being imported into the country, thus protecting over 16 million Ugandans from potential hazards posed by such substandard products,” he said.
But even though noncompliance is a serious issue, it is not just a cosmetics sector concern but, rather, a major trade problem across the country. With that in mind, it is safe to say that Uganda’s cosmetics industry has come of age.
We salute the ladies, the main consumers, who have made this possible.
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