Interview with Keneth Twesigye of TechBuzz Hub

 

1. What are your names?

I am Keneth Twesigye

2. Where did you go to school?

You would say I was an explorer of schools if I sat down to tell you each of the Schools I went to. But maybe to mention major ones that impacted my if and who I am today, I did PLE from Nyakibale Upper Day and Boarding P/S in Rukungiri, Then I joined St. Paul’s Seminary Rushoroza, this I didn’t finish O level from there but rather did UCE at Kings way High school, Kitende. Then Kyengera S.S and UTAMU University where I did Computer Science

3. What did you study?

As earlier said, I studied computer Science at University but it is not the only knowledge resource that I rely on for my current work. I have had several short courses in various disciplines like; software development, business analysis, project management, among many others.

4. Tell us about what you do?

I am an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneurs simply means that you can do everything in the business process without any ego unless otherwise. It be marketing and sales, operations, reception, cleaning, serving customers if in a hotel and also understanding /doing the technical stuff on top of either being the founder or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of your own enterprise/company.

But I am the CEO and Founder of TechBuzz Hub – an incubation and innovation hub focusing on creating spaces and facilities that support entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into companies. My role as a CEO is to provide leadership, develop strategies for growth and development as well as customer satisfaction, but as earlier said, I do much more.

5. What are some of the major influences in your past that are determining what you are doing now?

Well, my story just like most other people is unique to me. I was raised by hardworking parents, specifically my mother who took over from my dad after his demise at the age of 9. I was raised by my village, educated by relatives and Kabale Diocese project that supports vulnerable children and orphans but most importantly inspired by my uncles who are engineers, and while still in elementary school, I always wanted to become an engineer.

But to cut the story short, I got the inspiration to become an entrepreneur when I was aged 21, this time was in Dar es Salaam and was forced to only watch English Televisions based in the west, after learning that most of the richest people in the world were entrepreneurs and computer scientists. That’s how I ended up studying computer science too. Of course as someone from a humble background, getting rich inspires us, laughs.

6. Tell us what makes TechBuzz Hub different and why people should be a part of what you do there?

Bill gates quotes that; information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven, I don’t think anybody can talk meaningfully about one without talking about the other. Our difference starts with our identity, which is the name; TechBuzz Hub which means a combination of Technology and Business and network. So by virtue of the name, maybe every upcoming entrepreneur should be associated with TechBuzz Hub. We are an indigenous incubation and innovation hub creating suitable local solutions for local young entrepreneurs’ challenges. But as earlier said, we are creating a platform that helps one with ideas turn them into an enterprise/company with affordable and flexible approaches. We provide mainly four (4) services; Coworking spaces, capacity building and training, coaching and mentoring and business incubation. 

7. I understand that you are in charge of policy for the Startup Association of Uganda. What does your work with them involve and what makes that work important?

You're right. I lead policy under Startup Uganda - an association for innovation and Entrepreneurship support organizations which brings together all organizations that are working with Startups.

The association is responsible for lobbying for an enabling environment for the Startups and Innovators and it is the mandate of government to create an enabling environment. So my role is specifically to be the voice of the Association, startups and innovators in all engagements that speak to policy.

Among the many engagements, at the moment, am part of the Technical Working Group under the Ministry of Trade industry and Cooperatives where we are just recently concluded with the Regulatory impact Assessment to find out gaps that government could try to address that affect the Startup space.

Just to note, the minimum expected outcome from this process shall be; an act of law, policy document, strategy document, or code of conduct but also, a clear definition of what a Startup is defined as in Uganda.

8. What do you think the gaps are in the Technology and Innovation Ecosystem of Uganda and how can we fill them?

Well the gaps are massive, except that the power to influence this space largely isn't in our control or that of the lay man. The control is with the policy makers but asked of my take; Technology and Innovation has all the influence to grow our economy by even up and above 30 -50% given a few years but the longer we take, we weaker our economy grows. For example in 2022, Nigeria reaped a mind boggling 18.8% contribution to its GDP contribution from Technology making it the fastest growing economic revenue generator year after year since 2019.

I think what we should do isn’t one thing or just a handful of things.  We (especially our policy makers) need to deliberately pay attention to how fast this space is growing, then create an enabling environment by implementing startup related policies, ease internet access, incorporate technology and entrepreneurship education from elementary schools, and many others.