Start a movers business

A lot of people do not own their homes, an amazing business idea for Ugandans is to start a a movers business. That means that there is always a big number of people shifting from one place to another. You can reap big from this by providing them with a means of transporting their belongings to another place in a more suitable manner.

People usually shift by loading their belongings on open trucks. This has disadvantages like breakage and soaking in case of a downpour which can come any time in Uganda. Others plan to shift at night for fear of embarrassment because neighbors will notice their property during the day.

However, you can provide a solution to all that by offering to transport people's property in a more comfortable manner. You can do this by use of a body box truck and this can easily be acquired in the numerous car bonds in the country. You just have to begin from your neighborhood and later on expand to other areas when business grow.

In the beginning you can take up the work yourself and one extra person to help you in loading and offloading. One of you has to be with driving skills to drive the van. You can pack some of the clients property in boxes and these you can get them cheaply from merchants after removing their good from them. With time your business will grow and you can decide to use your own branded boxes. Do not forget to brand your truck for marketing your business. Later, you can also offer your services to organisations and offices which are shifting.

In Uganda there is only one international firm doing this king of business called Unimovers. Its a very profitable business and has a high potential for growth and expansion to other areas of the country. A movers business is one of those great business ideas which can reap big profits in Uganda.

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Common problems of small business owners in Kampala

A part form lack of business ideas, Ugandans are bound to face a few problems in the business environment.

Power outbreaks
Business in Kampala is prone to constant power outages either as a normal black out by UMEME or a disconnection due to a default in payment. Some Kampala arcades usually have power disconnections like Majestic Plaza, Energy Center, E.M Plaza. In some arcades, there is power rationing by the landlord. This is a big problem to small business owners since most of them heavily rely on electricity power. For example those dealing in movies, music downloading and uploading, mobile phone repair, secretarial bureaus and computer graphics work. This cost small scale entrepreneurs a lot of money as usually experienced in December.

High rental fees
This is one of the biggest problems encountered while operating any business in Kampala. Landlords charge high rent fees and these are always paid within a given timeframe. Other landlords charge their rent in dollars which is inflated against the shilling. Any failure to beat the rent payment deadline fetches a fine which can be to the tune of 70000 on arcades like Majestic Plaza. Some one can try to cut on the rent cost by sharing a shop with others but some landlords are discouraging this practice.

Unfair tax and licence fees
KCCA makes it mandatory for every trader to pay a trading licence every financial year. However, the business assessment policy to determine the licence is not fair. It is only based on the nature and category of the business not on the amount the business makes. Every retail shop has to pay the same licence regardless of the size which is very unfair to those with little incomes. On top of that a gabbage fee has to be paid for by every shop which is about 9000 shs. Failure to comply with on the licence policy leads to a closure of the business and carries a fine.

Burglary
All arcades have security guards but the security of one’s property is not in the hands of the landlord. One is supposed to vigilant with his property. Many traders lose their valuables to breakages into their shops but the landlord is not liable.

Political unrests
This cannot go unnoticed if one makes a livelihood in Kampala. The city is prone to teargas and running battles between the security organs and opposition politicians. This was remarkable during the infamous Walk-To-Work protests. There fore one has to be steady in case of any outbreak of unrests to close his business premises to avoid loses and injuries.

Competition from foreigners
Some Ugandans endeavor to put into practice their business ideas but are now facing a problem from foreign owned firms. It is now a common sight in Kampala to see locals doing the same business with foreigner regardless of the size. Most notable of this is the dvd selling business in arcades like Zai Plaza where Indians tussle it out with Ugandan youths for business survival. Many Indians, Pakistanis, Eritreans and Chinese among others compete favorably with small scale businesses owned by Ugandans to the chagrin of the locals.

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Become an interpreter

A unique business idea for people in Uganda is to become an interpreter.Do you know more than one language, you can utilise that to make money through becoming an interpreter for others. Uganda has many dialects spoken in the different parts of the country. You can offer to help out people who do not know that specific language an a given fee. Many people like tourists,businessmen, people from different regions of the country and NGOs can make use of your services.

Also if you have good knowledge of an international language, it can be a good asset. Few people in Uganda can speak or write foreign languages like Russian,Latin, French, German, Chinese, Arabic or Japanese. You can offer translation and interpreting services more especially to the growing number of business people from foreign countries coming to Uganda. Just imagine if you were good at Chinese how much you can make from the ever increasing number of people from China in the country and yet they do not know English.

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Start a cleaning service for large organisations

Today's business idea for Ugandans is to offer cleaning services. Schools, colleges, hospitals, and Companies with shops, offices, warehouses are all potential customers. Simple cleaning materials can be used along with industrial vacuum cleaners and floor polishers. Start small, but think big. Expand your business by employing others as more work comes in. It`s a competitive business, but there`s always room for another reliable and professional service who can deliver the goods at the right price.

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Make money with a digital printer

Personally this is one of my favorite business ideas which very profitable in Uganda, offering digital printing services to others. In Uganda, everything to do with printing was synonymous with Nasser Road. However the trend has began to change. Now you can make money offering printing services in any place .

There is a lot of material which needs printing currently. From school examinations to calendars to portraits, personalized messages,flyers,posters, CD/DVD labels key holders,business cards, introduction carnations, wedding cards. You can make a size-able amount of money with a digital printer. You do not need to be with graphics skills, many people do their own graphics but require printing services.

There are many brands of digital printers like HP, Canon and Konica Minolita Business Hub. You can get these in electronics shops in Kampala at about 13 millions. Or you can get a reconditioned one from abroad at about 7 millions. And if you do your paperwork right and you place your printer in strategic location your money will be recovered within a short period of time. You need equipment like the printer itself, a personal computer, card reader, laminating machine, UPS, office furniture and space. The viability of this business ideas has made even reputable firms making printers like Canon to set up stores in Uganda.

Just imagine printing A4 size paper goes for about 500/=shs and A3 1000/=shs depending on your location. Imagine if you can print about 100 A4s in a day what amount you can be making in a week other factors constant. These printers can print on most types of printable paper and prices may vary. You can also make extra income by doing graphics for clients before printing for them, laminating and framing.

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