When you meet Rashid Kaweesa at work you can’t imagine that he is the proprietor of Unique Metal Crafts because of his humbleness and being down to earth. Born on April 16th 1986 to Umar Ssenyondo and Annet Nantongo of Kiwafu central zone, Entebbe
Municipality Division B, Kaweesa started chasing his dream of becoming a metal fabricator in 2000 while in P.7 vacation and continued learning on job during holidays. When he joined Nkumba University, he decided to drop out in first year so as to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur in metal fabrication. Entebbe news had an exclusive interview with him over his journey to success.
Qn: How did you pick interest in metal fabrication business?
Rashid: I picked interest in metal fabrication from my father, who had a metal craft workshop in Kitooro and in 2000 while in P.7 vacation, I joined his workshop. I continued working with him during holidays and by the time I reached S.3 I had mastered the fabrication business. In 2003 while in S.3, I got a deal to make metallic doors, and windows for a certain gentleman who was constructing a house in Mityana district.
Qn: How did you feel when you got your first business?
Rashid: I felt so happy and motivated and this very person recommended me for another business to make doors, and windows for 4 Turkeys bar in Entebbe town. This time round I made good money and I was able to open up a bank account and saved some money on it on top of buying my first mobile phone to easy communication with prospective clients.
Qn: How did you balance studies with work?
Rashid: Actually, it reached a time when I had to forego either work or studies. However when I completed S.6 in 2006 the following year I enrolled for a diploma in education at Nkumba University but after one week I dropped out of the university after losing interest in the course I was pursuing.
Qn: What happened after you made a tough decision to drop out of university?
Rashid: Fortunately, in 2007, I got a lucrative contract to renovate Total filling station at Entebbe International Airport though I was subcontracted by Honest Contractors. I did the job perfectly and saved part of the money on my Bank Account.
Qn: Did you get any other big contract?
Rashid: Yes, I did get another contract and I was employed by Honest Contractors on a 2year-contract. While with Honest contractors, I worked on some big projects for instance I fabricated and fitted metallic doors and windows for Lubiri S.S.S dormitory, Gayaza High school dormitory, Kings’ college Buddo main Library and Nkumba University main Library.
Qn: Having worked on such big projects, what came to your mind?
Rashid: I decided to resign in 2009 because I realized I have the potential to run my own metal workshop and earn big money as a company owner. So having made up my mind, I started unique metal craft in Kiwafu central zone, Entebbe Division ‘B’.
Qn: How many workers did you begin with?
Rashid: I begun with five workers but when people realized my potential in metal fabrication they started giving me their children to train them to get hands on skills. But as I talk now, I have got sixty two (62) workers at Unique Metal crafts. I have also got internship students from technical colleges and Universities, who come to get hands on skills.
Qn: Do you have minimum qualifications for one to join your metal craft workshop?
Rashid: No qualifications are required. At Unique Metal Crafts you just come as you are then we start to train you in metal fabrication.
Qn: What metal products do you make at Unique Metal crafts workshop?
Rashid: We offer fabulous products for instance we make sliding gates and other metallic products like shades for houses, manhole covers, solar and electricity street lights, car box body among other things. Besides this, we also erect fuel filing stations, and warehouses and metal roofing materials.
Qn: What projects are you currently working on?
Rashid: At the moment, am working on four big projects to fit fabricated windows, doors, gates and metal roofs. These projects are in Rukungiri district, Nansana municipality, Kigo and Bugonga zone, all being undertaken by Unique Metal Crafts workshop.
Qn: Are there challenges you face in execution of your duties?
Rashid: There are two major challenges that I face in execution of my metal works. The first one is lack of enough capital since some clients want me to first inject money in the project and then pay later when the project is complete. The second challenge is competitions from reputable big firms whom some clients believe offer the best services and therefore, it’s hard for me to convince them to give me such big projects. However, at the end of the day, these so big firms subcontract my Metal workshop to do for them the job because they believe in my services.
Qn: What is your appeal to the government?
Rashid: I appeal to the government to provide me with some capital incentives to be able to work on big projects. I also appeal to Entebbe Municipal council to consider Unique Metal crafts for bigger projects than to consider the so called big reputable firms.
Qn: What are your future prospects?
Rashid: In future, I want to make Unique Metal crafts a big brand, change its image and make it more vibrant. Am also training my workers to enhance on the quality of products we offer and in future I intend to increase on the number of workers from 62 workers to at least 100 workers plus. Furthermore, I have come up with a plan to
train more youths in metal fabrication and at the moment a number of institutions have started sending their students to my workshop for internship training programs.
Qn: What are some of your achievements?
Rashid: I have been able to construct a residential house, company office, bought self a personal car and Company truck, own Unique Day and Night parking, Unique Hardware and 12 wielding machines yet I started with two wielding machines.
Qn: Lastly, which schools did you go to?
Rashid: I started Nursery school at Queens’ way Nursery school in Kitooro zone before Joining St. Agnes primary school where I completed primary seven. In 2001, I joined Merryland High school for S.1 before joining Entebbe Central academy for S.2 to S.3 and I then Joined Sacred Heart Kiteredde secondary school where I completed S.4. I later joined St. Mary’s Namaliga Secondary school in Bombo, where I completed ‘A’ Level. I later joined Nkumba University for a diploma in Education but I dropped out in the first week of the first semester to concentrate on Metal fabrication work which was my childhood dream.(By Sadique Bamwita)
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