2013 in pictures

Irene Namubiru and I at resort beach, 1 Jan for the Uganda waragi Beach party. *LikeABoss

At Aero beach #Yolo moment. I had quit a bit to drink that night which made me realize I was no longer in collage, that was the last time I went on a bender. 

Posing with Robert Kabushenga - CEO of New Vision. I admire his business accumen. I have always thought I could be
as shrewd as he is some day, but then again, I'll probably be better. *Time*experience 

I am sure the picture says it all. Gotta love PR. If someone had told me PR would be this fun, I would have signed up
earlier

I finally took a Steve-job-kinda looking picture. Taken by Nicholas Nsubuga, of course with my setup

I soon realized that an effective PR person has to dress 20% better than people in a room. This was at the end of year staff party, Mark bought me that drink, which has the highest alcohol content I have witnessed. This picture is a representation of the culmination of many small plans coming together to make a stronger, smarter, bolder, humble me.

Aamito Stacey had come to office to pick her letter of endorsement for Africa's next top Model. Her and I were kinda close at University. She emerged winner and now she is a super model. I have to show this picture to my kids one day.

At the Bell Carnival with Bwayo Moses, my good friend. This was the first time we had talked all year. It was probably my fault that we hadn't because I had refused to pay him for a job. This was my apology. 

Sometimes to truly appreciate what you have, you have to live it. This was my second week at work and I could already envision the future. Taking this picture made me appreciate the agency more because all over a sudden I saw what everything could possibly be instead of what it was which was depressing (pay was wanting)

This is Bwire my boda guy. I have no idea what his second name is. But he makes me laugh and even though he is sometimes two hours late when I send him, I still use him because of his interesting conversations. Sometimes I look like an idiot, laughing in public when Im being ridden. good chap

Its been a year since the birth of my second company,Carlos & Patrick, a unique partnership with the brilliant writer/creative Carlos. Right from the start all we wanted to do was create great art and get paid for it. Its amazing how a conversation that started in my dorm room has led to the creation of brilliant work, jobs and a great friendship. To dreaming big.

2013 was great because I got a chance to work things out with my Dad. I am sure in a small way, he is proud of the man I have become.

Strategy, Strategy, Strategy

Clearly I preferred to drink vs run in the MTN Kampala marathon. Silvie, who writes for the CEO magazine is such a darling, never a bore!

Kata Kwii - North Easter Uganda. "Today was an interesting one. Sat with a group of men from Kata Kwii and sipped Ajono while we talked about Soccer, politics and women. One of those moments you are out of your comfort zone to relate with others and the experience is invaluable. Everyday, as it turns out is a learning opportunity. 
Bwayo Moses now I can relate to your Karamoja experience."

"When "I look at the horizon, I can see the destiny of my feet, my strength and sight but i have never seen the destiny of my vision - Napoleon Bonaparte"

With music artist Fille. I was having self esteem issues, lots of doubt, scars from my previous relationship. I realized to get better with ladies, I had to be (seen) with beautiful ladies. Get t

At Lugazi from filming social work emphasis documentary with Carlos. I miss those days we let our hearts and mind forge the impossible. *Fail epic-ally or succeed epic-ally like Carlos likes tos 

I met Joel Katabazi *Kata in 2012, first love Studio. He talked me into advertising. A year later we were working together in the same agency. He commonly referred to me as the weak link, he couldn't have been more wrong

With CMO of MTN and Olympic gold medalist Kiportich. I ran the PR campaign for MTN marathon and Kiprotich helped us gunner some publicity. (I temporarily managed his image) #Awesome

#MTNMarathon_PRPromotion

At Marathon with Lawson. He and I studied together in Seroma Christian High School, S.4 2005.

Maggie Kigozi, brilliant business lady. This was at an international trade work seminar. (should have dressed better)

2013 was tough , especially for mum who under went more than 3 eye surgery's. I was blessed to celebrate Christmas with her and yes, she is so cool, thats where I get my awesomeness from! #SwaggLikeUs

Work like you are getting fired next week. True in many ways and this pictures captures that moment when I almost lost my job until I realized I had to always be the smartest guy in the room in order to demonstrate my worth, which came with a lot of donkey work, research and chores.

At the launch of Kampala Marathon. The whole launch plan was my strategy. Here I was basking in the moment of success. The sleepless nights had finally paid off, or so it seemed then.

Indipendence day found me at River Nile Jinja enjoying, a cold a Nile and the juiciest stake I have ever had. Made me realize how many freedoms we take for granted in Ug. #UG2thecore

These two. The picture was taken at my house, After Konnie and Faith had slept over. I admired their sense of loyalty for each other.

I spend a lot of time alone, listening to music. That's where my brilliant Ideas come from.

December 24th 11 PM and I was still in office because I realized that the action was at the next curb!

My first ever radio interview, done by the one and only Yvonne Kushe. her and I go way back to 2007. I realized that as a PR person, I need to work on my face value, in other words, be out there more because for some reason I figured it was going to come in handy one day. I guess time will tell.

2013 isn't so bad

Whenever I sit down to write a CV, I can never get myself to finish it because…I'm my own boss now

UCC’s Digital Migration not well thought through

Last night I was at the shop buying something when I bumped into an old man, probably in his 70’s that put the whole issue of digital migration into perspective. He was buying a bar of soap and airtime for one thousand shillings. While he waited to be served, he watched the evening news on his cellphone which was obviously Chinese(*fake).  The first thought that struck me was “poor guy, his phone is going to be disconnected soon.”

I thought about it a little more on my way home and how unfair it is for people like him who will not be able to take advantage of affordable media phones made in China. I certainly understand UCC’s argument of improving communication by upgrading to digital broadcast and blocking fake phones. It’s a good argument however in my opinion I would think this defeats the bigger goal of making sure everybody has access to information. This move by UCC is likely to get more people off communication channels like TV’s because in addition to buying a TV which only 29% of the population has access to, people will be required to make an extra expenditure on digital boxes. And for what when the quality and content of transmission is total crap?

Digital migration is not what the country needs. It makes more sense to first put media cooperation to task as to why they have filthy shows in prime time than levying a heavy price burden on the common man who just wants to watch his regular shows on his cheap phone. Because whether UCC sees this or not, Chinese phones sharply boosted access to information because with a few bucks, now anybody has a portable TV and radio. The world is going portable and I hope people making decisions in this country for a second can put this into perspective.

I graduated, Like a Boss!

I graduated. For the larger part of August and september, I only thought it would be a dream. And i must say I enjoyed it.

I had promised myself that I would only graduate on the condition I had made a fraction of what my lecturers earn otherwise the event meant nothing. You see, I am motivated by money and the more I make, the better i feel about myself. I can do without money, i just use it as a measure of whether I am on the right track or not and on my graduation day, I bought my parents lunch which amounted to 200,000/- and still had 1,500,000 cash in my pocket. My dad was quite impressed, "Today I certainly have a reason to eat. My son has graduated and he is the one picking up the tab."

Perhaps the coolest part about it was my gown arrived 10 minutes before they read my name, hell I want even sure if Gloria was going to bring it for me (I was so busy the night before and the morning working on the projector screens that I hadn't actually bought one.)

Like fate would have it, Gloria showed up just in time, my class mates had already lined up to walk down the red carpet. I ran to the ambulance which was a few meters away, changed quickly and went to the queue. I remember my mum asking me why I was the only person wearing red shoes and I told her, "Well mum, I am sure you and I have established by now that I am a huge fan of theatrics. While everyone is trying desperately to match their clothes with their shoes, I want to match mine with the carpet." - Like a boss. That's the only way I know how to live. 

Graduation to me meant that, in a way, i had figured out a few things about life on my own and was proud of that. I had something to celebrate. The journey has just began but im optimistic.

Keep you posted

The weekend comes on an end. F%$@!

In exactly one hour and twenty minutes the weekend will have come to an end. By then ill probably be in my bed thinking of what I need to do this coming week. setting deadlines for myself. I’m sure am not the only person who does a self evaluation on Sundays.
In Primary school, I hated Sunday nights with the passion because I was scared of the week starting. There always seemed to be something wrong with Mondays. Sunday nights came when I was either not done with homework or my shirt missing from the wire.

On the other hand Sunday comes with hope that we will do better in areas in our lives we did not do as expected in the week that has come to an end. Right now the week looks pretty busy for me. I have been meaning to update my CV to send it out to a couple of agencies. For now it might be the safest option to play. Its hard to strike a balance between doing what we love and doing what we can to survive. In case employment works out, I plan to stay for a bit then get back on the horse as soon as possible.

Nice week

Bad week, “If opportunity does not knock, build a door” - Dad

I have not updated this blog in a while. I suppose alot has been going on that I did not know where to start. So far my Job search is so and so. I have a few good opportunities looking up but that’s as far at it goes.

When the week began I was feeling so low that I possibly could not imagine myself achieving some of the things I had set out to do from the beginning, like Making a great movie, shooting an advert, writing an inspirational book and the list goes on. However the negative energy vanished out of the window when I had a chat with my dad over a cup of coffee midweek. At the time I was contemplating on not attending my graduation but I received troubling news that an exam paper I sat for went missing. Its one thing for it to be up to me not to graduate but its another when I am told I can not. My Dad wrote a quote on a piece of paper like he always does and it read, “If opportunity does not knock, build a door.”

It changed the way I was looking at things and his statement added a bit of fuel to a tank that was running empty. For the past couple of days I have tried to keep myself occupied with art and that has kept me going. The going isn’t any easier and I do not expect it to be. I am willing to fight to see some of my ideas turn into reality

"Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs

Making the most out of life (Pork in Wandegeya)

My house mate Eric was fired over the week. I decided it was important for us to do something fun, that we could also film.

I’m Happy for now

A week seems like a long time ago when I posted my last blog. Maybe its been a series of events that have happened so fast at once. The greatest news I received today came from my uncle who got me in touch with a prospective advertiser for my blank billboard. the deal is possibly worth a lot if He can get me clients who are willing to pay a years subscription. In case this happens, I will be earning my first check worth 8 figures (In Uganda shillings.) And the USP project is going to be done in the morning. If I stay up late I can tie up the loose ends. I have discovered something. Being creative and smart sometimes are the reason we do not see the simple elements in life that seem to hinder us from living out our dreams. Some are pessimist, some look at the world with a narrow perspective and like for me; Getting too attached to my work Joel, A creative strategist at The republican summed this up really well. “In the creative world, you will expect criticism from people who do not think your idea is good enough. Take heart and move on.” even though our words were not the same, the principal still stands out. Because I spend hours imagining things and writing them down. It gets hard to purse a project with a more objective mind. but this costs be time, energy and consequently I don't hit deadlines which is very important work. the reason freelancers are higher most of the time it is because the staff can not get the work on time. With this principal intend to complete this project and receive the criticism later. but it should get me a step closer to my dreams. The funny thing about work is one job will land you another if you are deliberate and consistent. And the other reason I am happy is because I have gotten the number of this famous person, that I have been searching for, for a week. Today I finally picked up my phone and called a girl I dated back in high school, and what do you know, she apparently knows the daughter! It was a cruel taste of fate and it tasted bitter. How I am glad I actually had a conversation with her. I found out she has a few ideas of her own she would like to implemented when she gets back from India in November. she also got a lucrative offer from a modeling agency. Here I should say, I love pretty girls, I cant help it. So the deal is worth quite a bit and even through she did not specify what kind of modeling but Id like to believe she’s going to be doing something decent. To sign off this blog I am going to say “Welcome Back Tendo.” Him and I go back as far back as Fighting in Nursery school. We grew up and I came to Uganda and now he has finally come back home. I could tell when I called to day he needs to be sorting out few issues in his life, like I am. Him and I thought pretty much the same. Glad to have my partner in crime back. If everything works well, we should be renting a fairly decent place in the suburb while we figure the rest out. So I’m looking forward to that. The picture below is of the who of us in the kitchen with my mum, learning how to bake cookie.

Walking away

So I have been out of school for two weeks now. It’s coming to the end of September (Thank God!) honestly when I wrote my last blog, I could not predict where I was going to be at the end of the month. my parents and I fell out after four hours of the most embarrassing lecture. It started with Steven who sent my parents an implicating email which my dad responded to in the strongest terms. Maybe I deserved it. which is why I do not blame him or my mum. So two weeks ago I was officially asked to leave home and figure the rest out on my own. it was very terrifying at first but two weeks down the road I’m quite proud of myself for figuring it out so far. I’m currently staying with a friend Eric. Its working out okay but I need a place of my own very soon. In my wallet currently I posses 5,000/= which I hope to use to finalize a project here in Mukono. For the past two days I have been taking some shots of Hamu Mukasa Library which Mike wants to enter into an Architectural competition. I am also in a rush to complete the USP project which is long overdue. If my math works is remotely accurate, I just might have enough saved up from the two projects to pay for a place of my own! I am kind of nervous actually. I mean my whole life is dependant on whether I get paid or not. In fact if I do not get any payment for my work today, I might not have transport to take me back to Kampala. Coming back to Mukono has made me realize how small UCU is for a person like me who has lots of crazy dreams and ambition. I have decided not to pursue any other project with UCU. It’s been a great time, from setting up a campus run podcast (CTV) to this. it has become my comfort zone and I fear if I continue working with it, I might never get to where I want. I am listening to We are young - FUN. And I somehow know everything is going to be alright. Today I walk away from the biggest deal of my life (so far) because I have done it all before. I need to go out into the world and conquer. I hope everything works out. it has to. Thanks Jackie for your text yesterday, “Real men face the world.” It has made me realize what I have to do. I’ll keep all of you posted