As Haruna Sentongo transforms downtown Kampala, rather, the former no-go zone of Kisenyi into the new hot cake of the capital city, one cannot stop admiring the spirit driving this youthful entrepreneur.
On completion of the “Haruna market Nakivubo”, Sentongo has his eyes on the Nakasero project, which will see one of the highest buildings in the city center.
Kisenyi, previously known for criminality and dangerous ghettos, has been transformed into a new business hub in the city center, thanks to the vision of the likes of Haruna Sentongo.
Ssentongo is credited as the central driver behind the slum’s rapid transformation.
The youthful entrepreneur says he always sees gold where others see adversity or trouble. And that is how he entered into the area known for drugs and dangerous youth, acquired property and now everyone is running there for business: Nakayiza Market, N. M Apartments, and Haruna Towers are some of the signature commercial properties in Mengo-Kisenyi under Sentongo’s Umbrella Company – Haruna Enterprises.
With that, Haruna’s developments have attracted several other businesses and investments to Kisenyi and the Kampala Capital City Authority have seen that and have extended public infrastructure projects such as roads and streetlights and CCTV cameras into the area.
Now, shopping malls are emerging on every road leaving in or out of Kisenyi.
Looking back
Haruna’s entrepreneurial journey doesn’t come as a big surprise for many, although it has been hardwork and consistence.
From the time he came from Masaka aged just 16 years old, Haruna started out with Sh300,000 from his father during his O-level vacation. It was money given to him to keep him busy during his holiday. For him, he instead went into selling women’s bags in a small makeshift stall. He has never looked back.
He is now one of the biggest landlords in Kampala city, alongside his brother Ham Kiggundu, Sudhir Ruparelia, Drake Lubega, among others.
From a tenant a few years ago, today, he is a landlord to hundreds whose businesses span from spare parts for motorcycles to food products. The complex is very well organised and comes with generous parking spaces.
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