Young entrepreneur an example for many
Mr Uwihanganye at a ceremony to celebrate youth innovation in Kampala. PHOTO BY Edgar R. Batte
What you need to know:
Shining example. Awel Uwihanganye has proved time and again that hard work can be rewarding for young people in Uganda.
What do you do for a living?
I manage my own businesses. I manage two social enterprise projects, Young Achievers Awards and the Léo Africa Forum. I have tourism and travel business Silverback Travel Company that gives unique travel experience to visitors coming to the EAC region and Africa in general. I also co-own Onyesha Studios, which we look to turn into one of the leading production houses.
What position do you hold there?
I manage and drive the activities of all of them on a day-to-day business. So I guess you can call me the Managing partner, CEO or Managing Director.
What are your qualifications?
I have a bachelors of Arts degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. I specialiaed in Political Science with a major in International studies.
What does your job entail?
Managing different projects entail different responsibilities, but in general I manage the businesses and projects operations, oversee implementation, and ultimately as the chief executive I am accountable to three different boards of directors who expect accountability of operations and finances. So basically steering the ship and making sure it sails on, including through rough seas. In this case I am a captain of three ships, a tough call.
What do you like about your job?
I like that I am able to design my own schedule, but mostly that I get to do what I am very passionate about. It is a privilege to be able to do that, and I am very grateful to God for the opportunities.
What don’t you like about your job?
I may say that the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur strain your patience, and your resolve. But I guess its what keeps us motivated and focused, part of the drill. But in general, it’s stressful starting out and sustaining entrepreneurship projects. Too many variables to manage and sometimes there negative moments where you feel discouraged, but again its life, you cant live life by avoiding it.
