Go Deep! Go Wide!
Welcome back to the kARTwe Kronicles. This blog is designed to give you bite-size and timely updates on the development and evolution of the kARTwe Project. If you are new to this blog, please check out my introduction to and explanation of the objectives and context of the kARTwe Project HERE
This blog is the second part two blogs where I talk about the importance of networking and partnerships in developing and promoting a project. In the last blog I made a distinction between Upstream and Downstream networking and partnerships. Let me remind you. Upstream refers to the networking and partnerships that take the project from concept to concrete. Downstream networking and partnerships refer to collaboration efforts that take a now active project out of the domain of the project stakeholders and into the domain of a wider audience. To see the discussion on Upstream networking and partnerships click THE TEAM IS THE HERO.
Going Down Stream
Our objective is to turn Katwe, the most notorious slum in Kampala, into the biggest openair art gallery in Uganda. This is a David and Goliath challenge for our very small organisation. The only way to achieve this was to get the support and muscle of partners who were substantially bigger than we were. This can be an intimidating adventure. The success is predicated on excellent and meticulous documentation of your project and secondly, unflinching belief in yourself and in your project when you make your pitch.
To date, we have successfully pitched and partnered with:
- Plascon Kansai Paints. The choice of getting a partnership with the biggest paint supplier may seem obvious. And Yes, for the past 2 years, they have supplied all paints that we needed. But there is more:
- We convinced them that giving visibility to their Corporate Social Responsibility would present them in a positive light to their customers.
- By partnering with them, we also gained access to their mauling list and their social media followers. We prepare the marketing collateral, and they distribute it across all their channels. In so doing, we magnify our marketing impact effortlessly.
- Mr Vivian Lyazi, Commissioner for Tourism development, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities-Uganda – At ITB 2025 I was introduced to Mr sdsdsd, the aadazd at the ministry. I asked for 7 (seven) minutes of his time to pitch the kARTwe Project to him. I know my pitch backwards. I delivered in 6 minutes and then said to him “You have one minute left for questions!” He did not need 60 seconds. Without hesitation he shot back “I want to work with you!” This endorsement of our project gives great credibility to the kARTwe Project.
- The Ugandan Tourism Board. Networking is about knowing people who know people. The people you know must like you and respect you enough to risk introducing you to people who can be useful to you. It is vital that this works both ways. Networking is how I met the Marketing Manager and the Director of the Ugandan Tourism Board. You will remember, in my previous blog, I introduced you to Hillary – Marketing Manager at the biggest drinks company in Uganda. There were significant changes at UTB. – Julianna and sdsds worked with Hillary at the drinks company. They both applied for senior roles at UTB. They were successful. They are both close friends with Hillary. When I needed a high level contact at UTB, Hillary made a phone call. Julliana and sdsds agreed to see me. They have agreed to partner with us to build Katwe into a tourist destination.
- Prime Safaris – I met Cate Director of Prime Safaris at ITB 2025. She loved what we were doing. She will help us develop the kARTwe Project as a destination for people visiting Kampala. She went further. She set up an appointment for me with the Director of the Association of Ugandan Tour Operators.
This organisation has 450 members. Matilda gave me a 20 minute slot to pitch to all the members at one of their regular meetings. And so it continues.
- Mediterraneao Restaurant – In the posh Lugogo area of Kampala, is regularly listed as the best restaurant in Kampala. I drop in there for a drink, from time to time. Adi is the Manager and part owner of this establishment. He listened to my 7 minute pitch. As a result, he opened the restaurant to us to host a benefit concert. The restaurant committed resources to attract as many as possible to the event. Again, as with Plascon, they used their marketing machine to give us promotional oxygen.
- Afrigo Band – I was in an interesting position. I had a free and prestigious venue for a benefit concert. Afrigo Band is the most iconic band in all of Uganda. Through networking, I was introduced to Moses – the band leader and musical genius. He listened to my 7 minute pitch. Immediately, he said yes to doing a benefit concert. As with those whom I have before, being associated with Afrigo Band and with Moses Matuvu has given the kARTwe Project credibility and reach significantly greater that what we could have achieved by ourselves.
An essential part of taking a project from concept to concrete is Upstream and Downstream networking and partnerships. I believe that I have mastered the art of the 7 minute pitch. It is compelling, informative and entertaining. It locks in people’s attention. People of every station in life come forward with a humbling enthusiasm to help me.
However, we cannot only be Takers. We must also be Givers. With open hearts and open hands, we contribute our resources and our expertise to help others. We ask for nothing in return.
One person cannot change the world
but YOU can change the world for one person.