Lukyamuzi’s life depends on service and repairs

Since 1996, Fred Musoke Lukyamuzi, the proprietor of Lutex Enterprises, has been repairing motorcycles, water pumps and small machines.
Lukyamuzi’s story begins like so many other start-up stories which involve little formal education.
Having dropped out of school before reaching Senior Four, Lukyamuzi’s father sought a better career for him.
“He was at first concerned about the shape of my left leg when I was 13,” Lukyamuzi, whose left leg developed an extreme arch, says.

The father of five did not think much of what to do with his life beyond childhood. But his father decided to take him to a friend’s garage in Abayita’babiri Entebbe where he would spend three years. Initially, his father wanted him to become a builder.

“That is where the interest in mechanics really began. It shaped my career path in so many unexpected ways but most importantly it taught me what it meant to be a hard worker and an effective manager. Being a mechanic taught me how to solve problems,” the father of five says.
With the skills gained from Deo’s garage, his career took off and his life changed. His workday is now full of satisfying projects. He has what he calls a stable career with room to grow yet it allows him time for his family.

Learning on the job
“As a learner, you do not get paid anything. To survive, I would collect used nuts and bolts and sell them for my personal needs while my father took care of the school fees,” Lukyamuzi says.
As a young entrepreneur with big ideas, he found work in Kirinya-Bweyogerere in Wakiso District where he thought he would find proper space to learn and grow. But he was surprised that he already knew more than his boss.
Knowing that, he sought to become independent repairing machines from his two-bedroomed house in a nearby place called Kakajjo, where he rented. This is actually where his business was born.

“Customers would find me home and I would use the spare time to go to my workplace,” Lukyamuzi explains.
Finally he quit that place after about one year to take advantage of the growing customers in the nearby district. He found space at a spares shop in Mukono Town along Bugerere Road where he would repair motorcycles.
“I was now ready to become independent because I already had my toolbox and kept the momentum going,” Lukyamuzi says.

All on, he had gained experience and was exposed to corporate clients, especially motorcycles for district employees.
“This was the biggest spares shop then and many district employees brought their motorcycles for repair,” he recalls.
His first job was repairing the engine for a Honda XL 125 motorcycle for the District Farm Institute (now Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research Institutes). This built his confidence.
From that time, he has gone on to become one of the most respected mechanics for Japanese motorcycles in Mukono Town.

His line of clients includes Centenary Bank, Pride Microfinance, Hilton Schools, St Peters Nkokonjeru, Riley Packaging Industries, Kyetume CBHC, Seroma High School, NAADS, Festino Cite, VEDCO, Noah’s Ark, Vision for Africa, MuZardi, Stella Maris College, Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono Municipality and St Joseph’s Naggalama for a range of activities including generator and motorcycle repairs, compound maintenance, trimmers and water pump repairs.
With motorcycles increasingly becoming electric, he explains that mechanics need to keep abreast. He personally browses through YouTube.

Pricing
One of the most intricate issues in repair and service business is pricing. Lukyamuzi says this is not fixed and cannot be anticipated. He says maintenance costs vary depending on the machine’s condition, spare availability and the specific repairs.
If it is a motorcycle, he says, the services to consider in routine maintenance are oil and filter changes as well as replacing broken parts.

“But sometimes the client may tell you to pick the motorcycle from a distant place,” You have to consider that too,” he says.
The main challenge to him though is about many clients who do not want to get a diagnosis first.
“Many just ask how much it would cost even before you can assess the scope of the work. This is why many go for cheaper options,” Lukyamuzi notes.
 
Inspiration
But his curiosity got the better of him as he continued to work hard and developed a reputable network.
Due to the market changes, he was forced to change too. In the 1990’s the motorcycle market was flooded by Japanese technology but it soon shifted to Indian makers. This transition saw the arrival of Indian brands such as Bajaj and TVS.

“The shop was closed by the owner and since I had little capital, I shifted next door,” he says.
Later, he shifted his workshop to a rental near the taxi park in Mukono where he used one room for his family. He has since established his own home on Katosi Road where he keeps chicken for side income.
He is inspired by the fact that clients keep coming and the job has no age limit.

Trust is key
Lukyamuzi explains that many owners can do the job from elsewhere. “So, what you sell to them is trust,” he says.
He still maintains some clients he had in the 90s or others that were recommended by satisfied clients.
“I mind more about doing a great job than actually asking for money. A satisfied customer is worth more than any amount of money,” he says.

Tools
The biggest expense in garage business is the tools and equipment needed to work on people’s machines. That means parting with large sums of money for the essential kit.
Lukyamuzi explains that many motorised machine owners can service and maintain their machines only that they seldom have the right tools to perform more complex jobs. That is the reason why they have to rely on mechanics like him to take care of their machinery.

A mechanic’s tool box is an important investment in their career. He says that mechanics buy tools throughout their career as they replace old tools, buy specialised tools, or opt for top of the line versions.
The typical toolbox has a hammer, pliers, screw drivers, wrenches, ratchet and socket sets, drills, tools for electrical work as well as miscellaneous tools such as hex keys, tape measure, flashlight, safety glass and files.

Building a legacy
Looking into the future, Lukyamuzi yearns to pass on his knowledge to the younger generation.
In 2002, he established a vocational institute aimed at equipping the youth and women with vocational skills, but it only became real in 2006.
Lutex Enterprises now offers services including generator repairs, motorcycle repairs, spare suppliers, trimmers, spares,  mechanical engineering, metal merchants, plumbing,   skills training, power saws and water pumps. They also do compound designing and maintenance.

“My experience has taught me that there are many children who cannot afford school and vocational education may be all they need to make it in life. I now want to leave a legacy,” he says.
Since 2006, Lutex Enterprises has been training the youth in vocational courses that include: motor vehicle mechanics, catering and cookery. Others include hairdressing and cosmetology, shoe-making, textile garment cutting and design, welding and metal fabrication.

The institute partners with institutions including schools, vocational institutions to train students and community school dropouts under the supervision of the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) and the Uganda Association of Private Vocational Institutions.  They work with JIT Engineering Services, HARK Bakers, MK Auto Garage. TK Autos, Esther Saloon, Nabaya Woodworks, MDK Technical Services. Lukabwe Kisakye Painters, Trudy Fashions, Esmouc Civil Engineering, River Flow Vocation, Ken Shoemakers and Music for life Africa Foundation.
Learners pay between Shs300,000 to Shs750,000 depending on the duration of the course. The courses go for three months to one year.

Challenges
Lukyamuzi explains that life working as a mechanic is not always easy. One of the most outstanding challenges is access to quality tools.
“They come at a huge cost. We need European standard tools and they are no longer easily available to us,” he says. But the work also takes many hours on the job. This limits family interaction and decreases job satisfaction because customers always expect a quick turnaround.
Another everyday hassle is about the tendency by young mechanics to eat all the money without savings.

“The money you get as labour is not enough for personal development. You need to boost it with a spares business,” he adds.
But on a daily basis they face know-it-all customers. He says such clients know what is wrong when they really don’t. “When you tell them something they don’t know they are always adamant. You don’t have to prove your knowledge, instead show them your work,” Lukyamuzi says.

Lukyamuzi’s tips on garage operation

There are some sectors which do not necessarily come to mind when you think about small businesses.
Fred Lukyamuzi, the owner of Lutex Enterprises in Mukono Municipality, gives his advice to the overlooked small business of garages.
The stereotypical view of a garage is one of greasy overalls and nuts and bolts, but the industry is growing steadily. Most young people learn from garages before they become independent.
Lukyamuzi explains that the growing number of people using boda-bodas is providing a major opportunity to venture into the business which he says is worthwhile and successful. But to become a vital service provider, Lukyamuzi offers tips to succeed.
 
Diversify with spare parts
Mechanics and servicing, Lukyamuzi says, is not sufficient. “One should be able to diversify and put up a spare parts business,” he says.
Lukyamuzi says that daily income makes mechanics feel secure but if it is not well utilised, they may regret it when they approach old age.

 
Grow your network
Lukyamuzi explains that it is important to get your name out there so that local businesses learn about your services.
He says that any person in the vehicle maintenance business must understand the importance of a strong referral network. He says these networks are establish on trust you build with customers.
“This means you have to stay at the top of your game such that you do not disappoint the customers that come to you,” he says.
Lukyamuzi explains that it is also important to take a service-first approach.
“The more you focus on the work, you stand to be valued,” he says.
 
Keep learning
Lukyamuzi explains that one does not need one to have a business background in order to succeed in the garage business. While this helps, of course, he says the key thing is having a willingness to learn.
He recommends YouTube as one great resource.
“Everything they talk about can help. You need to learn the principles for YouTube to be helpful,” he says.
As his operations grew, it became unavoidable to register the company and have a business plan while pitching to partners and banking institutions.

“Corporate bodies like to deal with companies and that is why it helps. You cannot win a big contract without registration. Luckily, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. There are a number of people who can do that for you at a cost,”
He says that many garage businesses are owned by mechanics who, despite wanting their business to grow, feel uncomfortable with the strategic side of things.
“If you do not learn by pushing yourself, you won’t get anywhere,” he notes.
 
Social media
Lukyamuzi says that to keep up with the trends, even small businesses must use social media as an important tool for marketing. “On social media we promote our vocational school and most importantly it keeps our name in the people’s consciousness,” he says.
Although he is not a socials person, he has found social media to be an important tool the customers use to engage with him.
He says the Facebook page is growing with a spectrum of followers even beyond Mukono. “It is really helpful,” he says.

Creativity
Lukyamuzi explains that garage business is highly competitive especially with motorcycles which calls for creative thinking.
“You have got to stand out of the crowd. At Lutex, we put emphasis on completing the job such that our customer is satisfied. We allow people to even pay us in instalments for labour. It has kept many coming even though some dishonest ones may not pay us,” he says.
He suggests offering free checks for clients as another important key in the growth of the business.

Skilling others
Looking into the future. Lukyamuzi yearns to pass on his knowledge to the younger generation.
In 2002, he established a vocational institute aimed at equipping the youth and women with vocational skills, but it only became real in 2006.
Lutex Enterprises now offers services including generator repairs, motorcycle repairs, spare suppliers, trimmers, spares, repair and maintenance, mechanical engineering, metal merchants, plumbing, merchants,  skills training, power saws and water pumps. They also do compound designing and maintenance.