By Ian Ortega
Fighting For Your Dream… Any idea what that means? Well, it means putting up a fight with a ‘no-retreat-no-surrender’ resolve until you see it come true. A soldier can walk, crawl and run through thorns, stones and dust; beat the bushes sideways to create a path; and brave the rain, mocking coldness and the scotching sun – all because he/she is at war and failure is not an option.
Talking of fighting for dreams, the heroic story of Amos Wekesa, comes to mind. We are talking of someone who joined nursery at the age 10, one who was once an office messenger and later a tour guide, but today is a millionaire (in USD terms). At one point, Wekesa found himself at crossroads where he had to make a decision – whether to return to Lwakhakha his home village in Mbale or to stay in Kampala and forge a life. He stayed. He worked. By 2001 he had saved $200 (about Shs 500,000) which he used to start.
Of course, not all was rosy as he, more than once, contemplated closing business because of slow progress. It was the redemption of his former client Tom Carter’s article in the Washington Times that set a turning point. This teaches us the power of networking with the right people as we fight for our dreams. This is what we always emphasize at the Authors’ Forum and we shall be hearing it again from the horse’s mouth as we host Wekesa in the Celeb Interview at the Authors’ Forum this Wednesday. His is a story of a young man hanging tight on his dream and never letting it go no matter the challenges.
Today, Wekesa is the Managing Director of Great Lakes Safaris, Budongo Eco Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale, and Simba Safari Camp. He is Chairman to the Marketing committee for Uganda Tourism Board, as well as Board Member of RAHAB and Imprint Africa. Previously he has served as President of Uganda Tourism Association, board member of the Association of Tour Operators in Uganda, as well as member of the Presidential Investors Round Table on Petroleum and Private Sector Foundation Uganda.
The most intriguing part is not merely what Wekesa has become or achieved, but rather what he did to fight for his dream. That I will leave for him to share since we are hosting him at the Authors’ Forum – the gathering of 400 inspired minds – this Wednesday 6th Aug, 5:30pm to 8:30pm, at the National Theatre. The theme is ‘FIGHTING FOR YOUR DREAM’ and the fee Shs 40,000 (NB: This entitles you not only to entrance but also an inspirational book or DVD of your choice – I recommend the book ‘MAKE SENSE OF YOUR MONEY’ for those who haven’t read it). To book your ticket, the numbers to call are 0774107287 / 0700487768 / 0414691595 (delivery is free anywhere in Kampala). If you specifically wish to talk to me, my number is 0704666851.
Wekesa will be joined by another young millionaire that we hosted at the Authors’ Forum two months ago, who left our minds boiling with inspirational ideas! We are talking about none other than Dr Edward Kazire whose Kazire Products have become a household name. Due to public demand, Kazire is returning to share more insights that will fuel us to fight for our own dreams. Think of what he went through as villagers laughed at him, referring to him as ‘a mad graduate in the village’ who could not get a job but rather who was wasting time in the bushes collecting herbs and carrying them home. Even his own father could not believe in his dream as he sent him away from home to suffer on his own. The rest of the story you will hear on Wednesday – at the Authors’ Forum – Uganda’s leading inspirational event.
This is going to be an evening of two stories of men who have turned their lives around by Fighting for their Dreams. Kazire has build a more than 10-billion shillings business despite all discouraging forces that should have pushed him to give up on his dream. Wekesa has equally built a business empire that makes him King over the tourism industry in Uganda – just from scratch. For sure, Shs 40,000 cannot stand between you and your dream – so call in and book your seat. And oooh, you also love poetry? It will be there. You love humour? Pablo and Herbert Ssegujja that many know for mimicking President Museveni’s voice will be in the house! And I will be there to usher you in, not without a smile!
Welcome to the era where everyone’s dream is valid, where WORLD OF INSPIRATION is ready to give you all the fuel you need to fly to your dreamland!
Till then, stay blessed and inspired!