82-year-old Aza has transformed her modest start into a thriving business empire, showcasing her remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Back in 1976, armed with just Shs5,000 from her husband, Aza embarked on her business venture.
Starting small, she began selling buns in Moyo Town after her late husband, Sylvester Aza, recognized her baking talent and encouraged her to sell bread in the area. The response from customers was overwhelmingly positive, leading to rapid growth in her customer base and securing contracts to supply institutions and businesses.
One notable institution she supplied was a school in Moyo District, where she delivered 1,000 buns daily. The school also contracted her to provide fresh fish on specific days. Despite the demanding nature of the work, Aza remained determined to succeed, driven by the need to support her siblings after her father’s passing.
Expanding her business horizons, Aza ventured into the spirits trade, catering to the influx of customers from Zaire (now DR Congo). Recognizing the locals’ preference for sugar and beer, she found success in this new business endeavor.
In the early 1980s, Aza further diversified her business by entering the booming beans trade, particularly targeting the high demand in Kenya. Her entrepreneurial instincts paid off during the 1980 election when President Milton Obote visited Moyo to campaign. Aza seized the opportunity to supply provisions for the president’s guests, despite the logistical challenges of transportation. As luck would have it, she was rewarded for her efforts with a Fiat lorry from the president himself.
Aza’s transportation obstacles were subsequently resolved with the acquisition of these trucks, facilitating the smooth delivery of her spirits and beans to Kenya. Honoring a promise made to her late father, she remained steadfast in supporting her siblings.
In 1995, Aza’s resilience and hard work caught the attention of Uganda Breweries management, who appointed her as the distributor for their products in the sub-region. Her success continued to flourish, leading her to become the first woman in West Nile to own a bus company. Through her savings from various businesses, she established Lowi Buses, which operated on the Arua-Kampala route, experiencing significant growth during the 1990s.
After decades of tireless dedication, Aza decided to pass on the management of many of her businesses to her sons, allowing her to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Remaining true to her principles, she chose not to remarry after the death of her husband, prioritizing the upbringing of her seven children, one of whom is the current Member of Parliament for West Moyo.
Aza’s business ventures extended beyond Moyo, as she opened businesses in Kikuubo, Kampala. With a patient approach to business expansion and customer retention, she emphasized the importance of maintaining focus. Although her bus business faced challenges due to the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, Aza dissolved it and reinvested the funds into expanding her beer distribution.
With pride, Aza highlights her accomplishment of providing education for all her children up to higher levels and generating job opportunities for over 300 individuals. Despite her advanced age, she still stays informed about new developments, occasionally venturing out with the assistance of her son.
Her youngest son, Luigi Achiga, praises his mother for instilling business skills in her children from a young age, teaching them about investment, expenditure, and discipline. Sally Adiru, a fellow businesswoman in Arua Town, describes Aza as a living example of business prowess, always ready to offer advice and greet others warmly.
Aza’s remarkable journey from selling buns to building a thriving business empire serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, embodying the values of resilience, determination, and hard work.
