How kyeyo in South Africa thrust Ssebuufu into wealth

After returning from South Africa where he had gone to look for greener pastures, Simon Peter Ssebuufu, a resident of Rubaga division in Kampala, has established himself as a thriving entrepreneur in the real estate business. His journey is one of resilience, determination and the willingness to take risks in pursuit of a better life.

Growing up in the slum of Kasubi, Kampala, was tough for Ssebuufu. He faced numerous challenges including financial constraints that made life difficult for his family.

“I did not only grow up in a slum but was also orphaned at a young age. I was left in the hands of relatives and friends.

This experience became a source of inspiration, pushing me to work harder than ever before,” Ssebuufu recounts, reflecting on his challenging childhood.

He vividly remembers losing his father, the late Paul Lule, in a tragic accident at their home in Kasubi.

His father was electrocuted when Ssebuufu was just five years old, a devastating event that changed the course of his life forever. As if that loss was not enough, shortly after his mother also passed away, leaving him and his siblings without parental care.

Being the last born in a family of four, Ssebuufu along with his brothers was thrust into a world of hardship and uncertainty. With no parents to guide them, they had to rely on the goodwill of extended family members, friends and sometimes even strangers to survive.

The struggles of growing up in a slum combined with the burden of orphanhood shaped his perspective on life.

Despite these adversities, Ssebuufu never lost hope. Instead, he used his difficult upbringing as motivation to push forward, determined to build a better future for himself.

Regardless of the hardships, he remained focused on education hoping it would be his gateway to a better life. However, after graduating, reality struck as finding a job became harder than he had anticipated. The high expectations from family and society added to the pressure, making life even more difficult.

“I grew up in a slum where survival was difficult. Many people sacrificed a lot for my education and they expected me to succeed and support them in return. But after graduating, I realised I could not get a well-paying job. It was a frustrating experience,” Ssebuufu recalls.

Eventually, he managed to secure a job at Pride Microfinance. However, the salary was too small to sustain his needs and support his family.

The struggle continued and with each passing day, he realised he needed a breakthrough.

Determined to change his life, Ssebuufu made the tough decision to move to South Africa in search of better opportunities. With the help of a relative, he was able to travel and settle there, hoping for a brighter future. However, things did not turn out as expected. It took him a long time before he could find a job and survival was not easy in a foreign land.

“Moving to South Africa was not an easy decision but I knew I had to take a bold step, if I wanted a better future. However, when I got there, I struggled a lot before I could secure a job. At times, I felt like giving up but I kept pushing,” he says.

Ssebuufu (left) crouched beside the half-built wall, measuring the size of the bricks used. He is now setting his eyes on joining politics.

“My goal was not only to make money but also to create employment opportunities for young people. Many youths in slums lack jobs and I wanted to inspire them to believe that they can achieve success despite their background,” he says.

Today, his company is recognised as one of the most reliable real estate dealers in Kampala. It has provided employment to several young people, giving them a chance to earn a living and support their families. Ssebuufu encourages young people to stay focused, work hard and learn from those who are more experienced in their fields. He believes that success is possible for anyone who is determined and willing to put in the effort.

“I started investing in real estate when I was 26 years old. Many people doubted me and thought I wouldn’t make it. But I remained focused and kept working hard. Now, at 32, I have built a successful business and I want to inspire more young people to do the same,” he says.

With his business thriving, Ssebuufu is now setting his sights on a bigger goal — politics. He has already launched his campaign to contest for the Rubaga North parliamentary seat in the 2026 general election.

His primary motivation for joining politics is to empower and uplift the youth, especially those from ghetto areas, by proving that they too can achieve greatness if they stay focused and determined.

Motivation

“I want to be a voice for the youth. Many young people in slums feel hopeless because they lack opportunities. I want to show them that it is possible to achieve their dreams no matter their background,” he says.

Ssebuufu believes that leadership should be about service and not personal gain. He is committed to making a difference in his community by advocating better policies that create more opportunities for young people and improving the living conditions in slum areas.

His personal journey has instilled in him a strong belief that no matter one’s background, every individual deserves a chance to succeed. He holds firm to the idea that with the right support, encouragement and opportunities, even those who come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds can rise above their circumstances and excel in life.

A game-changing opportunity

Ssebuufu’s perseverance eventually paid off when he found an investor who believed in him and offered him an opportunity to work at Eskom, an electricity company, as a marketer. This job was a turning point in his life as it allowed him to earn a decent income and more importantly, learn valuable business skills.

“Working at Eskom was a game-changer for me. It gave me a chance to learn about marketing, business strategies and financial management.

Most importantly, I was able to save money which would later help me establish my real estate business in Uganda,” Ssebuufu explains.

After working in South Africa for several years, Ssebuufu decided to return to Uganda and invest in real estate. He had saved enough money and was determined to create a business that would provide employment opportunities especially for youths from slum areas.

Upon returning home, he started using sh50m to buy old buildings, renovate them and sell them for a profit.

His strategy was simple but effective, transforming rundown structures into valuable properties and making them available for sale. Within two years, his investment had grown significantly and his business was now worth close to sh700m.