Today, I had the pleasure to have a chat with James Byaruhanga, the Managing Director at Roke Cloud, which many of us fondly remember as Roke Telkom or Rockspot. With an impressive 23-year career spanning the ISP, Cloud, Data Centre, and Telecom industries, James has worn many hats, from Network & Systems Administrator to Service & Infrastructure Support, Sales, Marketing, Product Development, and Executive Management. He has comprehensive knowledge of Wireless, VSAT, Ethernet, and Optical Cable Networks.

James is in the entertainment industry as well. If you live in Kampala-Uganda, chances are you have attended, or at least heard of – Blankets and Wine, enjoyed the Silent Disco rave that spread across the town a few years ago, or, more recently, spent a Saturday with friends and family at Shisa Nyama at Zone 7. While these events might be familiar to you, you might not know the person behind them, James Byaruhanga. He is also the founder of Bakiga Nation by the way, the buzzing phenomenon sweeping across Uganda! If you haven’t heard of it, you might need to check your Wi-Fi connection. From cultural festivals to vibrant celebrations, Bakiga Nation is where tradition meets a good time. I couldn’t help but chuckle, imagining James juggling between his high-tech role and spearheading a cultural movement that has everyone dancing to traditional beats!

As James shared his journey, I felt an uncanny connection, as if he was narrating a parallel universe of my life. It’s amazing how life sometimes brings you face-to-face with someone whose story feels like an episode from your own sitcom.

To set the record straight, this wasn’t a random meetup! I attended a StartHub Africa event on the first Friday of August 2023 at StartHub Africa. The event’s theme was “Driving Innovation with Enhanced Tech to Unlock Startup Potential.” And yes, I seized the moment to have a quick chat with the man behind the tech empire and cultural wave after the event.

Among the gems from our conversation, these stood out:
First, work hard, but also have fun while doing it – after all, even James knows how to throw a good party!

Second, be an expert in your field, and keep learning.

Third, everyone faces challenges; the difference is the weight – however, the key is how we handle them.

And lastly, whether we succeed or stumble, family is the cornerstone of our lives. It’s crucial to appreciate where we come from and cherish those who share our DNA (and possibly our dance moves).

This chat wasn’t just enlightening; it was a delightful mix of tech wisdom and cultural flair. I’m excited to share these insights on my journey and continue growing in this dynamic tech and cultural landscape.

A big thank you to the team at Starthub for hosting such an inspiring event and providing the platform for these enriching conversations. Thank you Rhea Hirani, Mercy Erii, Derrick Mugabi, and more of you that I have personally interracted with. Bravo!