Open Letter to President Museveni — and how not to be Byafandimus amidst unemployment crisis

An adage among the native people of this writer says, “Abatabimanya babisheenya nk’enku,” which aligns with PLO Lumumba’s question: Do Africans worship a lesser God, and have we been condemned to be mere hewers of firewood? Reflecting on this, I ask: Is Uganda’s ceiling too low for this philosopher, or are we simply “Byafandimu”—a term that, as used in Luke 18:3, refers to the widow and the unjust judge in Jesus’ parable?

In my first article of the six-part series discussing the GUBCCo concept, I mentioned that through the “Ask the President” online platform, I had written to the President several times about GUBCCo—putting to his attention a proposal aimed at addressing the country’s graduate unemployment crisis. However, I never received any feedback.

I also mentioned that I was encouraged by some members of the Inclusive Policy Dialogue (IPD) Forum to attend the Kapeeka Trade Show which was held on September 27th and 28th, 2024, and take the opportunity to present GUBCCo to the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), General Salim Saleh.

Although I did not meet with the General, I managed to obtain contact information for the OWC office and have since sent the GUBCCo proposal to two of General Saleh’s aides, requesting that they forward it to him. It is coming to two months; I have not received any response.

In my attempts to follow up, I even searched for the OWC office’s WhatsApp contact and posted the proposal there, but once again, there has been no reply.

I have also written to the President (the Letter below) through the presidential OWC facility and emailed him GUBCCo proposal, but again, I have not received any acknowledgment of receipt or feedback. So, I ask: Have we become “Byafandimus,” or is Uganda’s ceiling truly too low for this scholar?

One analysis I have read suggests that Kamala Harris’ failed presidential bid was due to the Democrats’ focus on appealing only to the elites, neglecting the dire economic realities faced by the majority of ordinary Americans struggling to put food on the table. If this is true in America, how much more pertinent is it in Uganda, where the government’s grand challenge is graduate unemployment?

Despite the fact that GUBCCo offers a well-researched and rigorous solution, no attention seems to be given to it. Am I being denied an audience to present GUBCCo to the government for support simply because I am remote to the corridors of power? Or, if this initiative were connected to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba or another entity close to the NRM, would it not have been fully supported by now?

I bet that, sooner rather than later, you will see GUBCCo initiative under a different name being implemented with government support by other entities that cannot think creatively on their own. Relying on “who you know” rather than “technical knowhow” will only keep Uganda trapped in mediocrity. How foolhardy it is to press both the gas and brake pedals of a vehicle simultaneously!

Recently, I came across an announcement about the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund, which is set to receive about 25 billion Uganda shillings during the 2024/25 financial year under the Government Research and Innovation Fund (RIF).

In the second article of my six-part series discussing the proof of the GUBCCo concept, I highlighted how the project embodies the “Spirit of Knowledge.” People traveled from near and far, including Queen Sheba from Ethiopia, to witness the wisdom of King Solomon. In the same way, as expressed in Luke 11:31 where Jesus says that “something greater than Solomon” was among them, what better research product could the government and Makerere University seek from the MakRIF than GUBCCo?

This initiative is a PhD study derived from a research project titled “Learning by Doing in Entrepreneurship Clubs and Hubs for Graduates’ Gainful Self-Employment: A Study of Makerere University.” I started this research at Makerere but completed it elsewhere after receiving a partial scholarship.

Those who might find this rambling a scathing one should consider reading the first article of the series. Roney Shirley Howard, an American author, praised my writing, noting its resemblance to the works of Nobel Peace Prize winner William Faulkner and the great philosopher Fyodor Dostoevsky, both masters at presenting the “ambivalence” of the human heart.

As Faulkner himself said: “The young man or woman today has forgotten the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself, which alone can make good writing, because only that is worth writing about—worth the agony and the sweat.”

Here is my letter to the president:

7 November 2024

Your Excellency,

The President of the Republic of Uganda Kampala, Uganda

 

Dear General Yoweri K. Museveni,

Subject: Request for Support to Capitalize GUBCCo SACCO Scheme

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to request the support of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) in advancing the mission of Global University Business Club Limited (GUBCCo) to address one of Uganda’s most critical challenges: graduate unemployment. GUBCCo, a digital public limited company, has developed a comprehensive and proven solution to this crisis, which is a three-pronged approach, consisting of: a SACCO Scheme, entrepreneurship incubation programs, and a free e-commerce platform.

Our model offers a scalable, actionable solution to graduate unemployment in Uganda, as I have demonstrated in several articles here below that highlight the potential and impact of GUBCCo approach:

– How the Government Can Save 500,000 University Graduates – https://pearl.pearltimes.co.ug/heres-how-museveni-government-can-save-500000-desperate-university-graduates-who-have-resorted-to-riding-bodabodas/ 

– Tackling Graduate Unemployment: A Smart Model for Job Creation – https://pearl.pearltimes.co.ug/tackling-graduate-unemployment-a-smart-model-on-how-government-can-help-university-graduates-create-jobs/

– Why Uganda Deserves Development Like the West – https://pearl.pearltimes.co.ug/dear-well-travelled-political-and-university-leaders-dont-ugandans-deserve-the-development-you-see-abroad/

The GUBCCo concept is built on a strong business model, consisting of three core components: the production model, the sales and marketing model, and the revenue model.

1. Production Model:

GUBCCo’s production model is inspired by innovations from MIT Bootcamps and HarperCollins Publishing. This model ensures practical business incubation and real-world entrepreneurship training, which can be seamlessly run as one of the students’ clubs in the university campuses.

Learn more about this approach in the articles below:  

– MIT Bootcamp Innovation – https://pearl.pearltimes.co.ug/dear-well-travelled-political-and-university-leaders-dont-ugandans-deserve-the-development-you-see-abroad/ 

–  HarperCollins Innovation for Connecting Entrepreneurs and Investors –https://pearl.pearltimes.co.ug/heres-a-smart-way-to-connect-entrepreneurs-to-investors-for-funding/ 

2. Sales and Marketing Model:

GUBCCo’s marketing and distribution strategy is inspired by the Amazon business model, tailored specifically to the needs of Uganda’s graduate entrepreneurs. This approach ensures that graduates can successfully market their products and services through a streamlined, free scalable platform.

More details can be found here:   – Amazon-Inspired Sales Model – https://pearl.pearltimes.co.ug/proof-of-the-gubcco-concept-marketing-and-distribution-model-as-an-innovation-inspired-by-amazon/ 

3. Revenue Model:

The finance model we have adopted is based on the Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus’ Microfinance approach, specifically adapted to empower e-commerce ventures. This approach enables sustainable, university community-driven business growth. Additional insights on this model can be read here: 

– GUBCCo’s SACCO Scheme: Adapting the Yunus Microfinance Approach – https://pearl.pearltimes.co.ug/gubccos-sacco-scheme-the-finance-model-adapting-the-yunus-microfinance-approach-for-e-commerce-empowerment/

These innovative models form the backbone of GUBCCo’s approach to solving graduate unemployment in Uganda, and we are confident that with the support of the Government, we can kick-start and scale this solution in every university in Uganda, and thereafter, globally.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS:

The Problem GUBCCo Addresses:   Uganda currently faces one of the highest graduate unemployment rates in Africa, with 87% of university graduates unable to secure formal employment, according to the National Planning Authority (2020). Many graduates are forced to take up informal sector jobs, such as boda boda riding. 

GUBCCo was founded and incorporated as a permanent living laboratory for the action research PhD study conducted by Dr. Julius Babyetsiza, which he began at Makerere University in October 2015. His research, titled “Learning by Doing in Entrepreneurship Clubs/Hubs for Graduates’ Gainful Self-Employment: A Study of Makerere University,” explores how practical, hands-on learning in entrepreneurship can help graduates transition into labour market: self-employment and entrepreneurship as well as improving employability. GUBCCo addresses the pressing issue of graduate unemployment by equipping university learners and graduates with the entrepreneurial skills necessary to become job creators, rather than job seekers.

Proof of Concept:  

GUBCCo’s business model, inspired by global best practices from MIT Bootcamps, HarperCollins, Amazon, and Yunus Microfinance Model, has been designed to integrate seamlessly with on-campus university clubs. Our market research shows a strong demand for this model, with a Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) of 48,306 students annually in Uganda (detailed in the Business Plan).

Funding Request:  

We respectfully request at UGX 500 million from Operation Wealth Creation to kick-start the capitalization of the SACCO Scheme. This government investment will serve as a catalyst, encouraging both professional and non-professional investors to contribute to our target capitalization of UGX 25 billion. Additionally, we welcome any technical guidance that will ensure the sustainability and scalability of the project.

Conclusion:  

Your support for GUBCCo will not only contribute to solving the graduates’ unemployment crisis but will also foster innovation, self-reliance, and economic growth among Uganda’s university graduates. We are committed to partnering with Operation Wealth Creation and the Government to achieve our shared goal of transforming Uganda’s economy through entrepreneurship. Thank you for considering our request. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this further at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Julius Babyetsiza  

Managing Director, GUBCCo 

Email: info@gubcco.ug / bbytsz@gmail.com  

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