As comrades in the profession, I believe we all agree that the remuneration for our efforts is way below our needs. Therefore, in the quest to find complementary sources of income, we seek advice from all corners of life. We attend self development seminars, read self help books, listen to church sermons and even look to the government ‘etuyambe’. But while we have seveeral options to increase or diversify our income, one thing that we should all agree is to follow our PASSION.
In Napolean Hill’s book, he shows us that the starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. The fact that you are reading this article indicates that you have a desire to find alternative or complementary ways to increase tour income. So, I assume that you are a teacher of ICT not by accident. Your passion in this field of ours has a couple of options that we can look at to boost our income and here are 10 business ideas you could think of – thank me later.
1. Writing ICT related books
A teacher of ICT can complement his income by writing books in the field of ICT. The market for such literature is still virgin in Uganda. You can start by writing pamphlets, holiday packages and lab exercises for the students of your school or class and eventually compile an entire book after perfecting your skill. Some of our comrades who have ventured into this are Rogers Mukalele, Barbra Kayondo Tuhame, Shadrack Kichui, Sam Okolong just to mention but a few.
2. An internet Café
With 5 computers, a 3-in-1 printer and a router, you can add to your income by starting an Internet café. There are many people who still need professionally prepared documents, people who need revenue services like TIN numbers and those who offer external job recruitment services. With room just enough for your equipment in a strategic location, you can surely never go hungry.
Read also: Are Internet Cafes running out of business?
3. A Secretarial bureau & Stationery shop
You can use your professional ICT skills to create documents for residents of your locality at a fee and people will pay for them. All you need is a PC, a 3-in-1 printer with the associated accessories and you are set to go. I agree that people may be owning computers and printers at their homes but I bet they have ink on demand, a binding machine, a laminating machine and the like. This very business can even be complemented by providing scholastic and office materials like glue, file folders, pins etc.
In fact, a secretarial bureau, stationerty shop and internet cafe can all be placed in the same room to help you diversify your source of income.
4. Computer repair workshop
A computer clinic is another good venture if you have aptitude for tech. Repair of computers is becoming easier and easier as many of the accessories simply need replacement. All you need is versions of popular operating systems and a database of software of even less than 100 GB to get started. You can complement your knowledge with tutorials on youtube and you will be an expert in no time.
With these skills, you could even tap into the school market by offering IT suport services to schools accross Uganda.
Read also: Tribute to Rogers Mukalele
5. A Web Design Agency
Web design is another side hustle that doesnt require a lot in terms of starting. With just the right skill and good marketign skills, web design as a business is one that doesn’t even require you to leave your place of work. Most clients can be worked on remotely, saving you the need to physically meet them before doing the work. As a teac her, you could start with your current school’s website which you could later use as a portfolio to win other clients’ trust.
In the ICT Teachers’ Association of Uganda, there are several members who do web design like Rogers Mukalele, Charles Lwanga Njala. I also started E-zone Web Services and have worked on a couple of school websites over the last 4 years.
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7. Coaching/Facilitation
Since you are already a trained expert in the field of ICT training, you can try out the provision of remedial classes to students. As more and more parents appreciate the impact of ICT, they are investing resources to ensure that their children are not left out. Position yourself as an expert in this field and enjoy the benefits of flexible training with direct deposits to your pockets. The same expertise makes you a potential facilitator with opportunities to serve larger audiences for example schools, seminars and workshops.
Some of the comrades that have taken this route are Mwondha David, Mukalele Rogers, Lukyamuzi Ronald, Matovu David, Ayub Kalema Golooba, Elizabeth Rwabu, Bernard Kakuru and many others.
8. Start a school
Your knowledge of ICT is enough for you to start a school. Given the high demand for basic ICT knowledge, you can start with a single room and a few computers to offer fundamental classes to those who may not have had the opportunity to learn computing at their schools. Before long, this school may introduce more courses and hopefully grow into a fully fledged institute.
9. Computers, Phones, Gadgets & Accessories shop
A computer and accessories shop is another venture worth trying out. With your knowledge of computers, gadgets, trends and troubleshooting skills you can be a good source of reference to the un initiated clientele. Even with limited capital, you can start with accessories like memory cards, flash disks, USB cables and slowly grow into a fully fledged shop.
10. Social Media Marketing
Facebook is one tool that has helped businesses get to larger audiences. Even with this advantage, many businesses are still not aware how best they can leverage this. Presenting yourself as an expert in this field will bring you that extra income you badly need. You can also provide social media marketing as a course in your training institute and create jobs for even more people.
Read also: Web Design; one business every teacher of ICT can afford
In conclusion
It is important to note that none of the above businesses is entirely independent of the other. You can have a mix of them at the same premises according to your target market since many of them can complement the other.
Get started!
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Stephen Dumba is the National Coordinator of the ICT Teachers’ Association of Uganda. Besides teaching ICT, he repairs computers and builds websites. Steve is a speaker and facilitator at tech events and and CEO of senior1.org and a consultant on education technology.
Tel: +256 772 111 223 | +256 752 111 223 | Email: stephen.dumba@gmail.com
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