From Rock Bottom to Business Triumph: How a UGX 40,000 Seed Grew into a Multi-Branch Empire
Imagine starting with just UGX 40,000, living in an abandoned house, and dreaming of building a business. Sounds impossible, right? But here’s where it gets inspiring: Byamukama Abel, a 29-year-old from Maguru Village in Fort Portal City, turned this seemingly hopeless situation into a thriving enterprise called ‘Klean Star Products’. His story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of accessible financing.
Byamukama’s journey began eight years ago after completing Senior Six. He moved to Fort Portal to help his uncle start a business, but the plan fell through, leaving him stranded with a meager UGX 40,000. A friend offered him shelter in an abandoned house and introduced him to the art of making liquid soap—a skill that would become his lifeline. With his limited funds, Byamukama bought ingredients, learned the craft, and started selling soap packaged in reused mineral water bottles. He hawked his products across Fort Portal, determined to survive.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Traditional banks turned him away, citing overwhelming requirements. Microfinance institutions offered a small loan of UGX 480,000, which was barely enough. This raises the question: Why is it so hard for young entrepreneurs to access the capital they need to thrive? And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the money—it’s about the support system.
The turning point came when Byamukama discovered Equity Bank’s Youth Loan program. Unlike other institutions, Equity Bank’s process was accessible, and their Relationship Officer provided step-by-step guidance. Byamukama mobilized a group of friends, underwent Financial Literacy training, and secured his first youth loan of UGX 2,500,000 with group guarantors. This loan was a game-changer. It allowed him to scale production, improve branding, and expand his market. Soon, he was supplying hotels, supermarkets, and businesses across Fort Portal and beyond.
As his business grew, Byamukama reinvested his profits and accessed additional loans—six youth loans ranging from UGX 2.5M to UGX 5M and six digital loans between UGX 1M and UGX 3M. His capital soared from UGX 1.5M to UGX 40M. Today, Klean Star Products operates three branches in Fort Portal, Kyenjojo, and Mbarara, offering a diverse product line that includes liquid soap, Jik, body lotions, candles, shampoo, and bar soap. They even supply raw materials to other soap makers and serve 11 districts with a clientele ranging from hotels to bakeries.
Here’s the bold truth: Byamukama’s success isn’t just about his hard work—it’s about Equity Bank believing in him when others didn’t. Their Youth Loan program addressed his biggest challenge: limited capital. But it also begs the question: How many other young entrepreneurs are out there, brimming with potential, but lacking the right opportunities? Shouldn’t more financial institutions step up to support them?
Beyond his business, Byamukama has invested in 10 cows in Ntungamo, acquired land, a car, and a motorbike for distribution. From living in an abandoned house, he now enjoys a comfortable life and serves as a role model in his village. His vision? To grow Klean Star Products into a full-fledged factory, creating more jobs and supplying products across Uganda and beyond.
Byamukama’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, even the smallest seeds can grow into mighty trees. But it also leaves us with a thought-provoking question: What if more young entrepreneurs had access to programs like Equity Bank’s Youth Loan? How many more success stories could we celebrate? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about empowering the next generation of business leaders.