On Saturday, 31st August 2024, Gudie Leisure Farm held a transformative Learning Deep Dive, bringing together young entrepreneurs, stakeholders, and industry leaders to explore the progress, challenges, and future aspirations of the youth in our incubation program. The purpose of the event was to learn directly from the youth about their experiences in building successful businesses, their personal journeys, and their contributions to their communities.
The day was organized into four insightful learning categories:
- Youth Agripreneur Champion (YAC) Journeys
- Building a Strong Industry
- Building a Strong District
- Building a Strong Parish Enterprise Learning Association (PELA)
1. Youth Agripreneur Champion (YAC) Journeys
Moderated by Specioza Aywek, CEO of Bistro Franchise, this session spotlighted the personal entrepreneurial journeys of three inspiring youth leaders:
- Medi Mwavu from Kampala
- Papako Abdalla from Kiryandongo
- Bonny Kimula from Luweero
The panelists shared their life stories, outlining their experiences before and after joining Gudie Leisure Farm’s incubation program. Their candid discussions revealed key milestones such as expanding their businesses and gaining financial independence. They highlighted the essential role of mentorship, access to training, and resource availability in their success.
As they envisioned their futures, the youth leaders shared ambitious plans for 2030, outlining the steps they plan to take and the kind of support they will need to achieve their dreams.
2. Building a Strong Industry
This deep dive was moderated by Anicia Nabukenya, CEO of Nutraceutical, and focused on the journeys of youth entrepreneurs in various industries. The panelists included:
- Isingoma from Hoima (Feed Mill Industry)
- Immaculate from Dokolo (Animal Industry)
- Jane Nansamba from Kampala (Bistro Industry)
- Mugyeki Yosin from the Hygiene Cottage (Nutraceutical Industry)
- Florence Naziwa from the Training Center
Each entrepreneur shared the progress they’ve made in setting up their respective industries, the challenges they overcame, and the key enablers of their success. They also offered practical advice, such as Florence’s reminder to formalize businesses through certification and Jane’s emphasis on maintaining consistent quality in order to grow a successful bistro franchise.
3. Building a Strong District
Moderated by Bon Nakanwagi, CEO of Gudie Incubation Center, this session focused on how youth entrepreneurs are building and strengthening Gudie districts. The panelists were:
- Ibrahim Matsiko from Lwengo District
- Sylvia Murungi from Kikuube District
- Graham Tumwesigye from Rukiga District
Each participant shared their experiences of growing district-level initiatives and building Parish Enterprise Learning Associations (PELAs) in their regions. Ibrahim highlighted the success of starting with three determined PELAs in Lwengo, who have since become role models in their district. Sylvia shared how formalizing PELAs in Kikuube has allowed them to collaborate with other organizations, while Graham detailed Rukiga District’s recent milestones, such as launching 30 new PELAs and signing a memorandum of understanding with the local government.
4. Building a Strong Parish Enterprise Learning Association (PELA)
Moderated by Nampeera Florence, Chief Finance Officer, this session explored the establishment and growth of PELAs across Uganda. The youth panelists were:
- Kato Bright from Butusi PELA in Rubanda District
- Mubangizi Hilary from Muyumbu Youth PELA in Kabale District
- Benjamin Bukenya from Samaliya PELA in Masaka
Benjamin shared the success story of Samaliya PELA, where six representatives trained at Gudie Leisure Farm returned home to pass on their knowledge to other parish members. Kato Bright’s greatest achievement was helping the pygmy community in his parish move from living in the forests to participating in the local economy. Meanwhile, Hilary highlighted how Muyumbu PELA has shifted the mindset of youth in his parish from job seekers to job creators, thanks to their work in the PELA framework.
Keynote Address: Julian Adyeri Omalla
The keynote speaker for the event was Julian Adyeri Omalla, one of Uganda’s leading female entrepreneurs and founder of Delight Uganda Limited. In her inspiring address, she urged the youth to believe in their ability to grow successful businesses, stating that “everyone has the capacity to be rich.” She also emphasized the importance of collaboration and encouraged the youth to work together in order to achieve greater success, adding that “there is no way God will bless you alone.”
A Path Forward for 2030
The Learning Deep Dive was a powerful and insightful event that provided a platform for youth entrepreneurs to share their journeys, learn from each other, and reflect on their vision for 2030. The discussions across the four categories showcased the resilience, creativity, and ambition of Uganda’s young leaders, while highlighting the importance of community collaboration and structured support.
Gudie Leisure Farm remains committed to supporting youth entrepreneurs by providing the training, mentorship, and resources they need to thrive. As these young agripreneurs continue on their transformation journey, we are confident that their efforts will have a lasting impact on their communities and contribute to the growth of Uganda’s agricultural sector.
Stay tuned for more updates from Gudie Leisure Farm as we continue to nurture the next generation of Uganda’s agripreneurs!