My Village Podcast

In conversation with Paul Kirungi, Team Lead - Zofi Cash.

In this episode, we explore the journey of a young woman, Naswillah Nalukwago from Nyamitanga in Mbarara into rabbit business.  Her story is one of grit, tenacity and  how far believing in one’s vision, despite challenges can take you.

In this episode, we explore a partnership between the Innovation Village, Garage 48 and the ministry of foreign affairs of the republic of Estonia, focusing on Design Hackathon with the intention to equip young people with skills in digital design, branding, user experience to enable them build solutions to community challenges.

In this episode, we explore how entrepreneurs can raise capital for their startups with Eric Osiakwan managing partner  of Chanzo capital and CK Japheth the team lead at the innovation village.

In this episode, we explore  how tourism can be inclusive as we champion for its growth especially domestically with Mary Baryamujura founder of Community based tourism initiative(COBATI),Brian Namanya CEO Tubayo, and Eliot Mugisha, Chairperson of Young Uganda Tour Operators (YUTO).

In this episode, we explore how the legal tech lab at the innovation village works with our communities and how our community of entrepreneurs and creatives can tap into their services to improve their business. And look at some basic legal knowledge of how to go about registering companies and the importance of getting intellectual property. With Hellen Mukasa, the legal tech lab lead at the innovation village

In this episode we explore the journey of Wilson Ajuna, one of the young faces and powerful voices when it comes to agriculture in Uganda. After University, he set up an agro business - Alpha Agro Start Consultancy Services Ltd, with friends that mainly focuses on agricultural extension work and advisory services across the country.

In this episode, we explore how the digital divide can be bridged to foster a whole some literacy growth. With key learnings from Lyndah Kembabazi a co-founder and the chief curriculum development officer at KAINOafrica and Immaculate Myra the Operations and Finance Lead from Early Years Foundation of Uganda and Francis Okeny the  headteacher  of Lungulu Seed School. 

In this episode, we explore the current and future realities of e-commerce in Uganda and  the changes entrepreneurs hope to see that will speed up and boost e-commerce in Uganda, with Paul Muyobo, the marketing manager of Kikuubo Online and Esaete Belinda Regina of Bel Deluxe

In this episode we explore the future of e-commerce. Following covid 19, there has been a big push for businesses and service providers to either fully embrace and or concurrently embrace e-commerce.  We explore key learnings from Timothy Mugume, the Country Manager-Jumia Food Uganda as he talks about what’s happening at Jumia and the present and future realities of e-commerce in Uganda.

In this episode, we explore Corporate Innovation that has been touted as a good strategy for sustaining performance and optimal growth for companies and organizations. The Innovation Village cognizant of the fact that many companies are struggling to execute working strategies has created the Senior Executive Program, a package that strategically caters to the need of individuals or companies necessary to innovatively propel their business in the direction they have envisioned.

In this episode, we explore the International youth day which is celebrated annually on 12th August with the intention of Celebrating youth and to bring their issues to the forefront.  This year’s theme is Transforming food systems; Youth innovation for human and planetary health. As we get to celebrate the young people who are creating innovative solutions to tackle the issue affecting our food system, climate change and biodiversity conservation with Agnes Kirabo, the Executive Director of Food Rights Alliance

In this episode, we explore the NINJA accelerator Uganda challenge. A program run by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with The Innovation Village, Hive Collab and Outbox to support high growth stage startups earning revenue of approximately $50,000 or above with Rwamahe Tevin, a business analyst at The Innovation Village.  

In this episode, we unpack my village platform, a digital mobile work platform that the innovation village has recently launched to mainly address unemployment and work related issues faced by Ugandans and entrepreneurs in Africa at large. 

In this episode, we explore World Youth Skills Day. This year the theme pays tribute to the resilience and creativity of youth through the covid crisis. As we celebrate our youth, we seek to create more awareness on the importance of technical and vocational education as well shining the spotlight on other youth related skills that will not only improve youth livelihood but also accelerate the growth of local and global economies. With Aaron Musoke a senior Associate at upskill, Wilson Kigundu, the Chief Technology Officer at The Innovation Village and Gilbert Niwamanya the head of department planning and chairperson training management working group at Nakawa vocational Institute

In this episode, we explore The Innovation Village Mbarara at one year. In 2020, recognizing the vast numbers of young people with various limitations to access resources to achieve their entrepreneurial and creative dreams, The Innovation Village branched out to other parts of the country and opened up regional offices in Jinja, Mbarara and Gulu. We speak to Anthea Ankunda the community manager for Mbarara, the western region, to reflect on what the journey to the 1st anniversary has been like and if they are on the right track to achieving what they set out to do.-

In this episode, we explore how Afro Health Connect a digital medical platform that offers mobile medical services especially for the chronically ill is striving to address the gaps in the health care system. We explore key learnings from Hilder Koriong, the founder and CEO at Afro Health Connect. 

In this episode, we explore building and design in Uganda with Prosper Byamungu the Team Lead at Brownstridge Design and a Partner at Travel Neza, a tours and travels company. Prosper talks of how Building and design is different from architecture and how he and his team at Brownstridge have reimagined and are reshaping Urban design and construction.

In this episode, we explore making a living off dancing. Not only does dance help to expand our culture and social interactions, dance now provides a livelihood for many. We explore more from a 19 year old  dancepreneur, Ashraf Atugonza the propriety and dance instructor of Ashraf Dance Academy. 

In this episode, we explore how the allocation of funds and resources in the financial year 2021/2022 will affect young people, startups and SME’s given that everyone is looking at recovering financially post-covid-With John Walugembe the Executive Director of the Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises-Uganda, Boris Mugisha Nahabwe the Chief of Operations and Co-Founder at TUBAYO, Naika Julius the CEO at Famunera and Aaron Musoke a Senior Associate at UPSKILL.

In this episode, we explore more on what it means to be a career Mom, the impact motherhood has had on their careers and things Moms have adopted to balance having a career and motherhood. We explore key learnings from Samantha Niyonsaba - Future lab Lead, Everlyne Lenaiyasa Silayo- People Experience Lead and Kristine Owiny- Programs Lead at the innovation village.

In this episode we will specifically have a conversation about the experience of career mothers. What does it for them finding the balance between work, motherhood and all the other multiple roles they carry with a group of 5 women at the innovation village.  Samantha Niyonsaba is Future lab lead at the innovation village, Everlyne Lenaiyasa Silayo- People Experience Lead, Wendy Nabasanga Executive Assistant to the Team Lead, Kristine Owiny -Program Lead and Martha Arinaitwe Rukare-Executive Business Analyst.

In this episode, we explore the journey of Emily Banya, a 25year old Ugandan and founder of Utalii creative puzzles. Emily tells of how a YouTube search into the causes of anxiety led her to a visit to aristoc bookshop where the business idea of creating a Ugandan/ African tourist puzzles using images of wildlife and landscapes, was birthed.  

In this episode we explore why funding is crucial for start-ups, the different kinds of investors you need for your start up and current investment trends with key learnings from Kenneth Legesi, Chief Executive Officer CEO and Chief Investment Officer CIO, at Ortus Africa Capital. 

In this episode we look at Omwoleso, a market place for creatives launched by MoTIV, for makers to showcase and sell their products both physically and online. We also explore e-commerce that continues to grow in Uganda. With Nicholas Spencer, the marketplace lead at MoTIV, Joseph A Odelle, DHL country manager and Silas Byakutaga, the product development manager at MoTIV. 

In this episode, we demystify the subject of wealth, talk financial planning as a path way to creating wealth through changed attitudes, behavior and knowledge acquisition. Knowledge of the markets and opportunities around you with Dogo Singh Sherman, Country Head Bancassurance, Stanbic Bank Uganda.  

In this episode we discuss using innovation to boost the economy, women in tech and the future of tech and data in Uganda. It explores key insights into Uganda's Tech and Data industry from Wilson Kigundu, the Chief Technology Officer at The Innovation Village.

Covid 19 disrupted a lot of things and the only choice we were left with was coping or adapting. In this episode, we explore the journey of Cynthia Abito to initiate innovative changes for the education system in Uganda on how to deliver learnings. It explores key learnings from Cynthia Abito the CEO of Pocket Education Uganda. Pocket Education is a service, mobile app that helps teachers, educators and administrators create flip classrooms for vocational students to be successful. 

In this episode we explore the journey of a group of young Makerere University students into boat building. Their story starts from the bad conditions of travel on Lake Victoria and wanting to change the inland water transportation not only in Uganda but also the whole of Africa. It explores key learning from Mwesigwa Jonah co -founder at Kata Marine Innovation Group. 

In this episode, we explore Tukole. Tukole is a platform that gives access to reliable professional service providers at your fingertips. The platform was also developed to contribute to the unemployment solution among blue collar workers. This episode explores key insights on what Tukole is all about and how the platform works- with Allan Okello, the Tukole Venture.

In this episode we explore the experiences of three women; Bernadette Ojao Team Lead and Founder Pads for Her, Samalie Namuganyi a Poet and Founder Girls of Honor Africa and Jamila Mayanja, Founder and Team Lead Smart Girls Foundation Uganda. These women have pushed barriers and created space for themselves and other women around them to thrive by tackling three problem areas.  Period poverty, self esteem/confidence and embracing careers in male dominated fields. 

In this episode we explore Tools to create, an equipment financing initiative designed for creatives, craftsmen and technicians. This initiative gives entrepreneurs opportunities to access tools at all stages and make smart decisions and products in a competitive business industry. 

In this episode we explore why many startups fail to take off and what The Innovation Village is doing to build and support startups to scale up growth and make a distinct mark on the country’s economy. It explores key learning from Anthony Kagimu, a venture lead at The Innovation Village. 

In this episode, we explore an art collective partnership among three friends Wamala Kyeyune Joseph, Gerald Puto Kikomeko and Tristan Zitoni Tani Kayonga with a desire to adding value to art and artists through elevating art and making it reachable to everyone and anyone. 

In this episode, we explore a partnership between The Innovation Village, Arizona State University and YARID, focusing on expanding education for refugees and refugee host communities through a series of entrepreneurship courses that would set the learners on a pathway towards self-reliance. It Explores key learning from Nicholas Sebato Director, Country Programs, Education for Humanity at Arizona State University, Devine Frances Asalo,  Potfolio Manager at The Innovation Village, and  Robert Hakiza, ED of YARID on what education stakeholders can do to help increase the success rate for learners. 

Bernadette is a self-taught tailor from the ghetto and founder of the organization Pads for Her. Her ghetto experience has made her passionate about impacting on the lives of the unprivileged women. In this episode you will get to hear her journey to setting up her business and her crusade for women and girls especially those in slums and refugee settlements to have access to sanitary pads.

In this episode we will be discussing the impact of COVID 19 on sme’s and how they can build resilience in this COVID 19 virus economy.

Kwizera is one of the big names on the Ugandan art scene best known as a painter and an illustrator. Listen to Kwizera's journey as an experimental versatile artist and how his work has impacted on the creative industry

In this episode, we get to learn about Barbara Nandego Jacometti, a young woman in Jinja, whose love for street food turned into a quest to improvise and put a more personal twist to a much-loved street delicacy in Uganda.

In this episode, we get to hear of a young woman’s bold decision to leave the capital Kampala and return home in Kitgum an area recovering from civil war, and set up businesses after University.

This episode explores the initiative taken on by a group of young people in the Kamwokya Ghetto to conserve the environment. Tune in to find out the innovative ways Ghetto Research Lab is using to change the face of the ghetto.  

In this episode, I spent a day at MOTIV, a creative space set up by The Innovation Village.  Join me to learn what MoTIV is all about

This episode explores the experience of a young female lawyer, Naseeba, who joined a woodwork training at MoTIV being sponsored by Mastercard, to up her skills. According to her, a law degree is applicable to anything whether in the creative field or in a more hands-on like carpentry. Get inspired by this lawyer turned into a carpenter

Frank is a self-taught voice-over artist pursuing a degree in Information Technology. While he is taking the traditional career path, Frank is also using technology to develop his art and grow his dream of doing voice overs. Checkout out this amazing talent.

“The challenges teachers are going through is too painful.” In this episode, we explore the impact of Covid 19 on Private school teachers and how they are getting by. Harriet lost her only source of income as a private school teacher because of a countrywide lockdown in Uganda. She resorted to roasting maize to be able to get by. Listen to find out how The Innovation Village changed her life. This is a touching story.