After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Uganda Christian University, Mukono, her husband lieutenant David Gumizamu wanted her to get a formal job.
However, she was determined to start her own business. Today, Francisca Kamazi, a resident of Ryashana I, Kashenyi ward in Ishaka-Bushenyi Municipality is a proud business owner, more so adding value to Matooke (bananas). This is earning her extra money which she woudnt othersie have earned if she sold raw matooke.
After convincing the husband, Kamazi started ‘Gala Wine’ in December 2008.
“I started brewing wine with only two bunches of Matooke and got four jerrycans of pure wine, but by then, my idea was to produce in small quantities to be consumed by my family members and small numbers of my village. But the demand kept increasing and I convinced my husband to continue brewing wine as a business,” she explains how small she started.
Growing
Kamazi explains that after acquiring further training in value addition from Uganda Cooperative Alliance, she started producing wine on a large scale. She now earns Shs4m every month and Shs48m annually. Interestingly, she earns Shs60, 000 from a bunch of Matooke yet the current market price for a bunch of Matooke in Bushenyi ranges from Shs10, 000-Shs20, and 000 depending on the size.
She explains that she injects Shs250,000 every week and gets 36 jerrycans of wine. She says each jerrycan fetches her Shs200, 000.
“The small savings I earn from the sales I make are invested back into the project by buying other wine requirements like construction of buildings, paying workers among others which have also helped the project to progress,” she says.
Kamazi adds that the project which started small has since turned into a community project, with her neighbours getting involved in providing her raw materials (matooke), labour, among others which has slowly contributed to the stability of the project. Apart from selling it in her home area, her wine is now sold in various parts of the country including Gulu, Mbarara, Lira and Kasese among others.
Challenges
Although market for her wine is massive, limited capital has hindered her expansion plans because the required equipment is expensive.
Achievements
Despite challenges, Kamazi has achieved a number of things including travelling broad and educating her children in good schools in the country. “I was recently in Thailand for a short course on banana wine making and now I have a deal with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to develop this project and put it on the international level,” she says, adding that UNIDO has given her free training facility, and they want 5000 liters of wine every month.
She says this will benefit the community because the project will create further employment to the local community.
“I have also helped other children in the village to attain education as part of my Community Social Responsibility,” she says.
Future Plans
Kamazi says her project should be well established come 2020 since she has a deal with the UNIDO. “I want to spread this project to other parts of Uganda so that people can learn how to make quick and good money if they want to liberate themselves from poverty,” she says.
Advice
“I must tell people especially the young ones that education means nothing without money; the small businesses you ignore are the ones that produce money,” she says, adding: “If people want to add value to what they produce; they should not hesitate to come back to villages and start small scale enterprises that will enable them get money on a daily basis.”
Am happy to find an innovative Lady , madam kamazi am also a youth where by I have produced 40litres of banana wine and I need extra advice from you madam, I have not yet got your personal number to communicate to you privately but my number is 0778716315, I will be happy to receive your number Bambi
I would like to start making wine but lack initial capital & connection with already established groups/companies
Thanks for your elaborate motivational explanation about wine making,well Ive started wine making but i feel i still lack a lot of knowledge, kindly link me up for a training in wine making, thanks, God bless you.
Thanks for the hard work and for sharing with the public. I have loved it to. Please help me with your contact I want to talk to you then look for you for learning.
Thanks for your help in advance.
I work with nature Uganda. We have farmers in Rubirizi and Kabale making banana and pineapple wines. We want to train them and we are looking for a good trainer in this.
I saw you on TV sometime back, the reason I wanted to use you for your expertise.
Awaiting for your feedback
Henry Mfitindinda
Need to learn wine making.
Available me with your contacts
I would like to become your friend and a learning student in wine making. Am on 0788025502
Can I get your mobile number dear. I also want to join the same business. Am a CEO Kitara agribusiness initiative. Thank you
Hi name is Kevin I make wine from beetroot, can you help me in packaging
I would like to begin the same business
I need some guide lines
Thanks call 0787531052
Can I pay her to train me in wine making my contact is 0750704851
I want to start wine making business but the skill
i need to start and also to see you
thanks
linda 0706154046
Thanks for the hard work and a free heart to share with the public. Am so much interested in this business. I want first to talk to you. Then go in with learning process. I really need your help.
I will be grateful to hear from you dear.