Twinamatsiko leads hundreds of youth to oil and gas sector

JONAN TWINAMATSIKO MUGISHA, 29, is general manager and partner at Rohi Investments Limited, a leading indigenous engineering, construction and procurement company operating in the oil and gas sector in Uganda. He is also the founder of Bwera Dairies, a milk processing company. Quick Talk caught up with him. 

Hello Jonan, please tell Quick Talk about yourself.

I am Jonan Twinamatsiko, a boy from a little-known village in Sembabule district. I am the son of Edward and Peruth Mugisha of Rwentale. I am the firstborn in a family of ten children.

How was life growing up in Rwentale?

My childhood was very peaceful. Although neither of my parents attained a formal education, they were staunch Christians. The church laws and the laws at home were intertwined. It is not by coincidence that I have turned out as a promising entrepreneur. Like my name, Twinamatsiko, my parents had hope. I am a product of prayer.

Which schools did you attend?

I went to Smarthill primary school in Ntutsi. I joined St Henry’s College Kitovu in Masaka for secondary education, before proceeding to Makerere University for a degree in biotechnology.

Biotechnology? Not a common choice in Uganda…

When I completed my senior six, I felt like becoming a lawyer. [But] I loved science and innovation. Since I had done biology at S6, I had a great belief that I could contribute to Uganda’s nascent interest in genetically modified organisms.

At Makerere, I met Prof Arthur Tugume. He told me that it wasn’t how I left the university but how I utilized my time there. This became my mantra. During the same week, I attended a random public lecture on science and technology facilitated by Dr Julius Ecuru, the then-deputy executive director of the National Council for Science and Technology.

I loved how he was articulating his policy ideas on science, technology and innovation. Luckily, when the question and answer session came, I asked whether there was room for young people to participate in his ‘complex world’ of policymaking… I think he was amazed by the question. He literary responded to only my question. He then gave me his business card which became my first contact card in life.

Did you participate in university politics?

Oh yes! I had a personal reflection. Since I was not from a well-to-do family, I did not expect anyone to call me for a job after my graduation. Eloquent student leadership became my way out. I started my reading journey with Animal Farm. I was sure that if I knew how to articulate myself, my post-school opportunities would be guaranteed.

I was the GRC for the College of Natural Sciences. I am the founding president of Makerere University Biotechnology Society.

Were your post-school opportunities guaranteed?

Yes! I joined Scifode under Doctor Arthur Makara. I met Makara when I was doing my internship period at NARO [National Agricultural Research Organisation].

He encouraged me to participate in their projects and when graduation came, a good offer from them was waiting for me. It gave me the right exposure that I needed. It also gave me room to incubate my science and technology movement.

How then did you cross into petroleum engineering?

I am interested in Uganda’s nascent oil and gas sector. I knew the potential that the industry had in transforming Uganda. I am a beneficiary of the China government scholarship. I did a master’s degree in petroleum and gas engineering at the University of Beijing.

I wanted to improve the cleanliness of oil and gas exploration, and exploitation using biotech tools.

China!?

It was amazing but short-lived. I spent my time in China scanning through Uganda’s oil journey on the internet. It is during the same period that I launched Sino-Africa Energy Consults. This is an arm that provides energy consultancy services being implemented by the Chinese in Uganda.

This was cut short by the outbreak of the pandemic which found me on a Christmas break in Uganda. I could no longer return to China and had to complete my degree online.

I did a short stint at the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies (GLISS) and became their research associate in the
oil and gas sector. This position gave me the latitude to interact with everyone that mattered in Uganda’s oil and gas sector.

Tell us about Rohi!

I joined Rohi in early 2021 as a partner to my longtime friend Job Kahigwa. Although Kahigwa was doing so much work in the oil and gas industry, I realized that I could easily achieve my dreams working with him. With approximately 20 staff in 2021, the workers have increased to 300 in a space of two years.

How much did you bring to the table?

I had $20,000. In the heat of the lockdown, I hatched an idea of making my parents’ dairy farm profitable. I approached Ian Gezard, a Spanish venture capitalist, to invest approximately one million dollars in my idea.

Although the idea was viable, Gezard decided to donate $30,000 to my business. I carried part of this money and started Bwera Dairies. I invested the rest in Rohi. I was banking on the hope that Rohi would generate more for the dairy and moneylending business.

How are you making it in the oil and gas sector?

This sector relies on partnerships. Honest workmanship opens several doors for us the nobodies. We recognized early that the next one depends on the quality of work done with the current. Our major, serious work started with the 4,000-man camp at Tilenga.

We went in as a lower-tier subcontractor for the mechanical and electrical works of the camp. Although we didn’t have a large resource base, our human capacity catered for that. We were ambitious young people who were risk-averse.

We went all in and gave each contract our best because we recognize that the next one depends on the quality of work done with the current. The fortunes have changed over time. Currently, we are the leading subcontractor at the Kingfisher development area in Buhuka.

Here, we are doing the civil works for the central processing facility, civil works for good pad four, the water extension at the lake, and civil works for the permanent camp, among others.

Is it the $20,000 that you are still relying on?

[Laughs] Of course not. Our first contract gave us access to credit. We decided to pursue a strategic partnership with bankers. Our first credit letter was worth $80,000. This has now risen by four million dollars.

What has been the biggest challenge?

We have been criticized for being a predominantly young-person-led company, but we are on a mission to tell a story of Uganda’s young people. If we have the skills, why not? I lead a team of approximately 350 young people. We have to make our experts in the sector.

Where is Mrs Twinamatsiko?

[Laughs] I have been unfortunate in that area. I hope to start dating soon.

Who is your Miss Right?

She should be God-fearing, kind and honest. We can compromise on the rest.

samuelmhindo@gmail.com