Tools for Self Reliance has been operating in Uganda for over 15 years and, through the work of our partners Network of Local Artisans (NOLA), we have supported many groups of artisans to make their enterprises a success. Among them is the Kwatampora workshop in Kasese, which received carpentry tools and training 10 years ago and has since developed into a thriving business with a full order book. I decided to go in search of the group and find out what impact its success has had on the members, their families and their communities.

We are eager to put the money saved back into the business.

The word Kwatampora means ‘never hurry in anything’ in the local language, but when I entered the workshop grounds on Kogere Road I was greeted by a scene of frenetic activity as artisans rushed busily from timber processing to metalworking and wooden product assembly and finishing areas.

The man behind it all is workshop manager Mr Francis Tinka Abwooli. Francis gave Godfrey Kasozi of NOLA and I a warm welcome and invited us into his office so he could explain how the workshop had developed.

Francis began by working alone but, with NOLA support, got together with two other artisans to form a cooperative workshop. Using profits wisely has been key to the group’s success. “We are eager to put the money saved back into the business��?, Francis explained. A healthy 20% of the profits are re-used by the workshop to take on and train unemployed youths from the local community to become carpenters.

Instead of dealing with one person, I dealt with companies.

It was the use of this sharp entrepreneurial mind that enabled Kwatampora to grow. It currently employs 30 artisans and other staff. Using the lessons of planning and marketing taught by NOLA, Francis realised he would do better to deal with companies rather than individuals. The workshop won contracts with schools and construction firms, and links with larger businesses like the local cement factory and companies needing office furniture followed. Using display areas, posters in the town and short radio ads, Francis managed to gradually build up the client base and reputation of the workshop.

Looking ahead, Kwatampora has recognised the challenge of decreasing wood production due to over-felling of local timber sources by sourcing land and planting eucalyptus trees on the outskirts of Kasese. Noticing market trends, Francis has also made sure members of the group are trained in metalwork, especially door and gate fabrication, and the group is looking to relocate to a larger space to accommodate this diversification.

The success of Kwatampora means that Francis has been able to afford a decent education for his children and one of his sons is about to complete a university degree in food processing technology. With his keen eye for a business opportunity, Francis has already acquired some agricultural land and is busy preparing to plant hybrid oranges so that he can invest in a fruit juice processing and export company. In fact, in between excitedly answering my questions, he took the opportunity to gently probe to see whether I might have some contacts for this venture in the UK!

Kwatampora shows what can be achieved. Artisans in Africa face tremendous challenges in the form of poor infrastructure, especially roads and defunct railways, arcane bureaucracy, and small and intensively competitive markets for their products. On top of this, family health and other domestic concerns can divert attention and resources away from a business, leaving no money to reinvest. However, it was gratifying to see the potential for growth from generation to generation that this story demonstrates. And Kwatampora’s experience underlines just how critical the business training has been to that success.

posted 18 March 2009

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