It is said that Ugandans have an extraordinary entrepreneurial appetite, but many businesses do not live past their first birthday, something Jackie Arinda attributes to lack of proper research prior to starting the businesses. She is using her high-heeled position at the first 24/7 business TV channel in Uganda to furnish young people with as much knowledge and data on business as possible.
As someone who has had a fair share of doubters her whole life, Arinda has learned that it takes a village to create change. But even when no one is willing to join her in this pursuit, she’s ready to go on it alone. “I’m not the kind of person who quits,” she says emphatically.
What does change mean to you?
When it comes to change, one thing I know is to first know what is the past and what is the future, what does the future hold for you. For me, change means growing up, and knowing what I want, knowing how to get it, knowing how much time I need and what I need for me to change, to be a better person. So for me change also goes to the society that I’m living in, the environment around me. If the environment around me has not changed, then that means if that change is coming, then I need to be ready to fight all through.
Change is a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing. To the lady that I have become, who is watching young women take up big positions which our mothers and grandmothers couldn’t take, then it is a great thing. But for the women who are still viewing this as a challenge, you must embrace this new change. It won’t be easy, but for it to happen, sacrifices have to be made.
You had a really challenging childhood, what lessons do you pick from that experience and use in your work as a leader?
Well, as a child I can say sometimes you learn how to fight on your own. You have to learn how to depend on your own, and when I say depend on your own, I don’t mean external factors, I mean internally, emotionally. Sometimes you have to be strong for yourself. And that’s what I learned from my childhood. I learned that I have to tell myself that I’m beautiful. I had to be strong. I had to tell myself to stop crying and I be happy for myself. This taught me to be independent at a really young age. No one should hold your happiness hostage, when you can do it on your own.
But also you need to learn to work with a team even when you don’t like it. If you are working towards a good cause you need to learn that. It’s not that every person you work with, you should like. As a child, I learned that a lot. I sat with classmates who bullied me, I had relatives who didn’t believe in my dreams, but I had to live with them all. I’m not the kind of person who tells people to quit because they’ve failed to agree with a colleague on one or two things. I’m not the kind of person who quits!
What challenges come with your job?
The biggest challenge I’m facing now is ‘mindset change’. Many Ugandans still think that for you to be an effective leader you should have grey hair. Secondly, for a female to be an effective leader they should be ‘married with over 20 years of experience’. Well, all this belongs in the past.
I honestly feel the pain of young females whose dreams get shattered every time they walk into offices to present proposals to people who aren’t willing to listen to them because of this prejudicial mindset. Interestingly when they (young ladies) are offered an audience their proposals are accepted. It’s heartbreaking when they have to go through all that only to catch everyone by surprise that “her ideas were actually good!” Young people are brilliant and should be listened to. If we can have more of them in positions of power, then the world is headed for better times.
How are you influencing change with the content you broadcast on Smart24 TV?
Well Smart24 TV is the first business channel in the country, and we broadcast business content 24/7. First of all, our whole mission is to furnish Ugandans with enough data and knowledge to help them make informed business decisions. We all know the sad truth that most Ugandan businesses don’t live to see their first birthday. What is the cause of this? For some it is challenges in accessing funding, but I think the cause revolves around lack of proper research. It is important to understand the dynamics of the market, the trends, the players already in the business and more before jumping to start a business.
At Smart24 TV we arm our viewers with as much business information as possible. We also strive to be the voice for Uganda’s business community. Traditionally, TV stations in Uganda offer business news in form of a daily 3-minute segment most probably towards the end of the bulletin. At Smart24 TV we don’t just give business 24 hours of our broadcast time, we flaunt it. If it’s not data analysis, it’s the stock market or news on what’s going on in down town Kampala. We dialogue with economists, business leaders and policy makers. I believe within 5 -10 years, Smart24 TV will have given our economy a fresh new face.
Helming such a novel media platform is quite a challenge. What keeps you motivated?
When I see my team winning, that keeps me motivated. Every time I jump from one level to another, it motivates me too. People always say you don’t have to prove to anyone but when it comes to our kind of business, you have to fight to even get listened to. My team and I have big plans for the channel, and that’s to take it to another level. After that, I’ll tell you about my next move.
You’re thriving in a male dominated space, how do you manage to stay on top of your game?
The world has created transparent space for women. You choose where you want to be and the kind of woman you want to be. It’s a bit challenging, but it’s so worth it and I enjoy every bit of it! Why? Because when I’m up here and do my job well, doors will be opened for other ambitious young women with exciting ideas. Secondly, my story is not unique. So many companies are putting young women in top management positions, it’s becoming easier because you identify with so many other women. We just need to earn our stripes.
My biggest motivation is knowing that I’m making the right decisions. If it means delivering as per set targets, I do it and even surpass them. There’s no room to complain because I’m a woman. At Smart24 TV I look out for my female staffers. I’ll put a woman in the control room, and take my chance on her. Of course her male colleagues won’t be thrilled with the idea saying that women can’t carry cameras or manage a control room, but I’ll insist. Let her work, if she fails then we shall let her go, but we cannot deny her a chance simply because she’s a woman. In this male-dominated world, you have to fight. If men are walking, you just have to run.
In this male-dominated world, you have to fight. If men are walking, you just have to run.
Jackie Arinda
Has your authority been undermined before? How did you deal with it?
Like I said, being a young leader, of course people will undermine your authority. But leadership is like science, it speaks for itself. I’ve managed to grow Smart24 TV to the market leader that it is now. The results aren’t tangible, but anyone can see them. You are going to be undermined as a young leader, but your results will speak for you. Even Mark Zuckerberg was undermined at first, but look now. So trust me, they will undermine you, but that should be the fuel to your soul. Work faster, build a strong team and everything else shall fall in place.
And how do I deal with it? I have my mentors whose support system keeps me going. Plus I don’t tolerate negative energy.
Do you think women and young people are doing enough to embrace change? If not. What needs to be done?
I think women and young people are doing much, it’s just that we aren’t fully embracing them. But it’s also because most of these them give up so fast. I know this because I’ve tendered in my resignation before, I know what it means to be where they are. I didn’t quit my job though, I stayed and kept fighting. See where I am now!
You need mentors. Constantly educate yourself and ensure that you have the right team. It’s uncommon to meet young women at business talks and conferences. You need to attend them, however boring they may seem. We need to stand up and face the challenges rather than shun them.
Lastly, as a young leader I call upon all the youth that we need to support each other. I know you’ll look at me and immediately ask for jobs. I know that, and I wish I had the capacity to employ every young person out there. For me to do that, I’ll need your concerted support. And to the brands, listen to these young people. Offer them internships or apprenticeship, instead of turning them away.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Photographed by Mark Bwiire of Soul Image Art
Styling by Abbas Kaijuka of Kai’s Divo Collection
Makeup by Adrian Kamara of Makeup by Kamara
Hair by Sina of Natna Natural Hair
Creative Direction by Sam Isingoma
This story is part of ‘Woman of the Month’, a series celebrating women who are brave in their stance, a collaboration between Kai’s Divo Collection, Sam Isingoma,Makeup by Kamara, Natna Natural Hair, Satisfashion UG and Soul Image Art.
