On Day Four of the Rwentanga Bootcamp, we were deeply honored to host a remarkable guest — a man whose life story is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and purpose. Mr. Matsiko Robert, an agriculturalist, international entrepreneur, and founder of NUMA Feeds, shared with us his 30-year journey — a journey that began with just UGX 3,000 and now spans continents.
🌱 Humble Beginnings
Mr. Matsiko began his career at Kitagata Church Diocese, working as a farm manager and agricultural trainer. At that time, his monthly salary was only UGX 3,000 — barely enough to live on. But he didn’t let his circumstances define his future. He worked diligently, with integrity and purpose, eventually catching the eye of the Ministry of Agriculture, where he served for five years. However, life threw him a curveball — he was laid off and compensated with UGX 150,000.
Where others might have given up, Mr. Matsiko saw a seed of opportunity.
🐣 The First Step: Localizing Poultry Feeds
He noticed something troubling in the Ankole region — poultry farmers were relying on feeds brought all the way from Jinja, Eastern Uganda. It was costly and unsustainable. Matsiko decided to bridge the gap by starting a local poultry feed business. However, he faced an unexpected challenge: many farmers were not consistent in feeding their birds. They would divert funds to other needs, like school fees, which affected business inflows.
This was a crucial turning point.
🍲 The Spark: From Poultry Feeds to Human Food
While in Kampala one day, Mr. Matsiko ate kalo (millet bread), a favorite local dish. But this time, it had stones in it — a frustrating and common issue. That moment sparked a powerful idea: what if he could produce high-quality, clean millet and other food products?
And just like that, NUMA Feeds began its transformation — from a poultry feed company to a provider of high-quality, nutritious food for human consumption.
🔧 Grit in the Face of Fire
With his friend Nuwamanya, Matsiko built their first machine by hand. Their first factory was made of wood. But tragedy struck — a fire, caused by cooking nearby, burned the factory to the ground. All raw materials were lost.
But that didn’t stop them.
They rebuilt using iron sheets, and later, permanent structures. The ashes of that fire became the foundation of resilience and rebirth for NUMA.
🌍 A Global Vision
The real turning point came when UNDP visited his premises and referred him to Enterprise Uganda. There, he received his first formal entrepreneurial training. Though it was a tough decision to leave his growing business unattended for two weeks, it proved transformative.
He learned how to draft a business vision, mission, and core values — principles that now keep the NUMA team aligned, motivated, and united.
Today, NUMA has seven food products on the local and international markets — including in China, Moscow, Canada, and Dubai. From soyarice to millet flour, cassava flour to bushera, NUMA is changing lives across the globe.
🌟 Life Lessons for Every Young Entrepreneur
Mr. Matsiko left the students with these powerful life lessons:
- Integrity is non-negotiable – do the right thing even when no one is watching.
- Use media productively – use your phone as a tool, not a distraction.
- Never stop learning – knowledge builds confidence and opens doors.
- Choose your circle wisely – associate with those who challenge and support your dreams.
- Invest in personal growth – the best investment you can ever make is in yourself.
🧭 Final Word
Mr. Matsiko Robert’s journey is not just a story — it’s a blueprint. From a small village, with only UGX 3,000 in his pocket and faith in his heart, he built a brand that feeds families across the world. To every young entrepreneur at the farm school: your background is not your destiny. Start with what you have, where you are — and never stop moving forward.
You, too, can be the next great story.