13/12/2025
From Street Hustle to Tech Innovator: Brian Namanya’s Inspiring Journey
By Livingstone Natana
One of the stories that deeply touched me during the Digitally Fit Awards was that of Brian Namanya, the CEO of Tabuya — one of Africa’s outstanding innovations transforming how Ugandans access travel, tourism, and hotel reservations.
From the hustle of printing and design on the streets of Nasser Road in Kampala to becoming a continental tech innovator shaping the future of African travel, Brian’s journey is a powerful reminder that dreams do come true when resilience meets purpose.
As a guest speaker, he shared three lessons that every young innovator should hold close:
✨ Collaboration
You cannot build everything alone. Surround yourself with a strong team, grow together, and multiply your impact.
✨ Consistency
Show up every day. Results may not come immediately, but dedication always rewards those who stay committed.
✨ Impact
This was his strongest emphasis. Do not build for money alone. Build solutions that change lives. In the end, people remember the value you created and how your work shaped their world — that becomes your legacy.
I was truly inspired seeing the hall filled with young people from across East Africa. It was a clear sign that the youth are not just dreaming; they are building, boldly and tirelessly.
What makes Brian’s journey even more remarkable is how Tabuya is empowering Ugandans to experience convenient, affordable, and stress-free travel. Through the platform, users can book hotels, explore tourism destinations, compare travel options, and plan trips with confidence. With the AI integration he introduced, Tabuya now delivers smarter recommendations, faster support, and a personalized travel experience — positioning Uganda at the forefront of digital tourism innovation.
Brian, your story is a testament that greatness is built from the ground up. Your journey inspired me deeply, and your impact is shaping the next generation of African builders.
At Oracom South Sudan, we look forward to collaborating with innovators like you as we work to build strong digital solutions for South Sudan and beyond. Our journey has just begun, and our vision is clear — to develop software, applications, and automation systems that solve real problems, enhance productivity, drive economic impact, and accelerate growth in this technology-driven era.