Uploading all things Ugandan
There are many events, properties, place and news about Uganda that people would like to get at a click of a mouse. Guide2Uganda answers that need.
An office in an apartment block in Nakawa, a Kampala suburb may seem an unlikely place for the headquarters of Uganda’s hyper local community. But then the social media junkies that call themselves Guide2Uganda are so serious about business that they only go home to sleep.
“Since we are an online guide on everything we never miss any openings in Uganda,” says Mamerito Ssenfuma, commercial manager of the website which focuses on all things Ugandan such as news, daily events, property and accommodation.
After its launch in 2010 as part of the Guide2TheWorld franchise, the website now attracts up to 200,000 hits a month.
Locals, expats and travellers in the Pearl of Africa can search the site or sign up as a member to add a free blog, event, videos and photos. They can also create a forum or pay for property, accommodation and business listings.
The Guide2TheWorld franchise is the brainchild of British publishing and media sales entrepreneur Bernard Aherne.
He previously worked on magazine titles in emerging markets, mainly in the Far East and Latin America, and ran websites in France. After travelling around Israel and South America he spotted a gap in the market for online guides.
“For me entrepreneurship is backing oneself and taking control of one’s own destiny. Entrepreneurship by its very nature always involves some risks, and a huge amount of work,” says Aherne.
“Uganda has many entrepreneurs and one can see entrepreneurial flair almost everywhere one looks, whether it be the street hawker selling household items on the street or the team at Guide2Uganda.”
Guide2TheWorld in Africa
In Africa, the Guide2TheWorld franchise so far includes Guide2Kenya, Guide2Nigeria, Guide2KwazuluNatal and the Guide2easterncape. Guide2Johannesburg is launching soon. Outside, there is Bristol, Cyprus, Valencia, Spalding, Limousin, Midi Pyrenees, Derby and Romania. That’s just a few.
Uganda already had a Lonely Planet and Rough Guides dedicated to it when Guide2Uganda launched.
“(But) these are big guides based in the UK. It felt like there had to be an entirely local team,” says Ssenfuma.
Although Aherne is based in Bath, England, the rest of the team have their heads down in Nakawa when they’re not out and about at the latest premiere. There’s currently seven staff, including Levi Werunga, the web content editor, who’s currently studying International Business at Makerere University, but “might just continue to do this after he graduates because it’s kind of awesome”.
He is tasked with listing seven events on the website every day. “We read as much as possible on Uganda - letters, journals and magazines,” says Ssenfuma.
“I travel a lot. I always carry a diary and pen. And I have a strong memory.”
At the moment he is busy checking out art galleries, but is also keen to include a review of new Dutch bakery and cafe BBrood on Kampala Road.
Amid the economic doom and gloom, it can often be difficult to keep up with local news. “A lot of businesses just open up and close because of financial problems,” says Ssenfuma. He admits that things at the moment are “not so well” on the advertising front. But Kampala has a lot to offer that other cities on the continent can’t, which will hopefully make the challenge in this area easier.
“Kampala is cheap. For as low as Shs1,000 you can get a meal,” says the manager. “It’s also safe, unlike Nairobi.
“Kampala is lively and welcoming. You can do whatever you want in Kampala without anyone bothering you.”
With Uganda being named Lonely Planet’s number one country to visit in 2012, the Guide2Uganda team is certainly feeling some extra pressure at the office.
“We saw it coming,” says Ssenfuma, who’s hoping the Ministry of Tourism will soon come on board and help promote the site. “Before it was announced as number one, the Ssese Islands were voted as among the top ten best secret islands in the world (in April 2010).”
To keep up with the increased interest in Uganda, the website’s currently in the process of developing mobile apps for their clients. “With our local team and international support from our head offices, we are sure we can have a positive impact on the local community and on the nation as well,” says Ssenfuma.
