Makerere University Students’ Hustle Life
By Immaculate Ainebyoona
Several students struggle while at university because campus life comes with financial burdens. As a result, some have ended up engaging in wrong activities such as crimes like prostitution, robbery and fraud for survival. However, having a "side hustle" can shield one from the stress of paying tuition, accommodation, meals and general maintenance.
Four years ago, Eunice Akullo has carved a niche for herself by making and selling liquid soap she studies for her bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication.
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| Eunice Akullo making liquid soap, Photo by Immaculate. |
When she joined Makerere University in 2021, she needed money to facilitate her personal expenses and also to buy handouts, yet her parents couldn’t afford it. That is how she came up with the idea to make and sell liquid soap.
Akullo had previously done other businesses like goat selling from Lira to Kalerwe market as well as fish vending, which helped her develop business skills and confidence in her initiative.
“I have always had a passion for business. I once tried other businesses which unfortunately failed because they required my full-time presence, yet I had to also study,” she says.
Akullo started with Shs.100,000 which she used to buy materials. Initially, she made low quantity as she only supplied students in the hostels and halls of residences. After some time, she became so popular that her clientele stretched to supermarkets, shops and schools.
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Since then, she has managed to pay her monthly rent and also contribute towards the school fees for her young siblings. “I have been able to pay Shs.600,000 for accommodation every semester for four years, Shs.200,000 for my siblings school fees and also meet my personal needs,” Akullo says.
Dealing in liquid soap is a lucrative business, however, it comes with some challenges especially for a female university student. “Business is about dedication and patience because carrying jerrycans of liquid soap, traversing Makerere and other destinations to meet my clients is not simple. Sometimes you find me collecting bottles on the roads for packaging. This It is really stressing," she narrates.
However, balancing class and business is what Akullo has found most challenging. On the one hand, customer care and a consistent supply of goods is important, while on the other hand, academic load can be heavy and requires her full attention.
Nonetheless, her strategy includes regular communication with the clients to ensure that there is a close business relationship. "I make sure I get all my clients' contacts. Sometimes I call and ask for their comments on my soap and also inquire if they need more orders," Akullo explains.
Her commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned her a brand name in the liquid soap business among her clients.
Meanwhile, Isaac Opio, a second-year student of bachelor’s degree of science in computer science is a broker for hostels and bed spaces in halls of residences. He also supplies house requirements and other related items.
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| Isaac Opio, Photo by Immaculate |
While speaking to him, Opio explained how and why he came up with the idea. “It was in 2019 when my mother decided to go back to university for studies and yet in- the same year, my elder brother and I had just joined university. My father who was retired couldn’t afford tuition for us all, due to that financial constraint in the family. So, I decided to halt my studies and opt for another thing to do,” he says.
Opio stayed around the campus premises studying the students' environment and their needs. That is how he birthed the idea of offering broker services. His business grew and in the 2023/2024 academic year he rejoined Makerere University for his degree.
Opio works with hostel custodians to identify the rent range and free space for his clients. He charges according to the nature of the place. However, the standard amount he charges both students and hostel managers is Shs.20,000. The hostel manager pays once an agreement is reached between him and the client.
Besides being a broker, Opio also provides bulk calls and text messages through his call center application, KAYAS. He has worked with a number of associations, students' political contestants, Global Couches and individuals to communicate their meetings and parties using quick calls or reminder messages.
Opio says that working while studying is challenging because your brain is active 24hours. This includes working on class assignments and attending to clients' businesses. He adds that he has limited to rest.
Besides that, Opio finds working with female clients even more challenging. He says they are provocative and that some invite him to their rooms, only to find them dressed skimpily. Others want free services.
“I have found it challenging to work with female students; I could spend the day touring hostels and -after she tells me, 'Thank you for being a gentleman' without my tour fees," he expounds.
Despite the challenges, Opio remains undeterred. He has currently developed a support system among his peers who sometimes step in to manage his business now that he has expanded to other universities like MUBS, Kyambogo and Ndegye. "It is about supporting each other. We are all trying to make it so I don’t see the reason why I would keep this knowledge to myself,” he says. “When another person is taught how things are done, it reduces the weight on me,” he adds.
An interview with Isaac Opio: https://soundcloud.com/user-647674911/opio-isaac-wav?ref=clipboard&p=a&c=1&si=8739e3e919be4b518d770b3bba6d6773&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
His ability to balance a rigorous academic schedule with the demands and pressure of his growing business has caught attention of everyone around him.
https://kayas-mak.herokuapp.com/pages/brocode (Opio's profile and students' comments about his services)
Dr. Nelson Nsereko, a senior lecturer at the College of Education commends the innovations by young people. He contends that grooming such students with open minds is a credit to the university and it benefits the country at a large.
Nsereko urged students who are involved in doing business to be guided by the university rules and regulations. He explained that running business in places like hall rooms which can inconvenience others is not allowed. He also advised students to prioritize their studies above anything else. "There will no university rule to pardon you in case you miss an exam or coursework because of business; You should be careful with your courses and operate with caution,” he advised.
Both Akullo and Opio exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that Makerere University encourages. Their success should serve as an inspiration to many, proving that with hard work and innovation, it is possible to excel in both academics and business.
They also represent the many students who are the bright future of Uganda’s youth, and the potential for economic growth through small scale entrepreneurship.
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