By Our Reporter
Byamukama Abel, a 29-year-old entrepreneur, left Ntungamo eight years ago with hopes of helping his uncle start a business. Unfortunately, the venture didn’t materialize, and he was left with just UGX 40,000 and nowhere to go.
Today, he is the founder of Klean Star Products, a fast-growing manufacturer of liquid soap and home-care products that serves 11 districts across Western Uganda and employs eight full-time staff. But the journey to becoming a business owner with UGX 40 million in working capital began in one of the most unlikely places—an abandoned house in Maguru Village, Kyabukonkoni Division, Fort Portal City.
After completing Senior Six, Byamukama moved to Fort Portal with high expectations of supporting his uncle in starting a business. When the plan fell through, he found himself with no home, no job, and just enough money to survive a few days.
A friend who was making liquid soap offered him shelter in an abandoned house and encouraged him to learn the skill. Using the little money he had left, Byamukama bought a few ingredients and began experimenting with soap production.
“I started packaging the soap in used mineral water bottles and walking around Fort Portal City to sell it. That’s how I survived,” he recalls.
Early attempts to secure business financing were discouraging. Bank requirements were too high, and his first microfinance loan of UGX 480,000 fell short of his operational needs. But a turning point came when a colleague introduced him to the Equity Bank Youth Loan.
With support from the bank’s Relationship Officer, he joined a youth lending group and underwent financial literacy training. His first Youth Loan of UGX 2.5 million enabled him to increase production, improve packaging, and attract new clients.
As demand grew, he began supplying hotels, supermarkets, bakeries, and small businesses in Fort Portal and neighbouring districts. His visibility expanded even further when the Tooro Women’s Group invited him to train their members in liquid soap making.
After repaying the initial loan, Byamukama qualified for a second Youth Loan of UGX 4.5 million, and over time he has accessed six youth loans and six digital loans, ranging between UGX 1 million and UGX 5 million.
“Equity Bank believed in me when others didn’t,” he says. “Their Youth Loan product solved my biggest challenge—lack of capital.”
What began with reused plastic bottles is now a regional enterprise with three branches in Fort Portal (Head Office), Kyenjojo, and Mbarara. The product line has expanded to include Jik, body lotions, jellies, candles, shampoo, and bar soap, many of which are produced on pre-order.
Byamukama says his journey has made him a role model for youth in his community, many of whom now look to him for mentorship and training.
He envisions transforming Klean Star Products into a fully-fledged factory capable of supplying products across Uganda and, eventually, throughout the East African region.
“My dream is to create more jobs and build a brand that goes beyond borders,” he says. “If I could start with UGX 40,000 in an abandoned house, then any young Ugandan can start small and grow.”