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Mr. Arthur Mukembo, is the Lead at Future Lab Studio. He says he is driven to make things better, even if it is by a few adjustments. From real estate to incubating innovators, the lover of music and good food is making his mark. He spoke to the CEO East Africa Magazine’s Imani Kisakye on the innovation status in Uganda and how the Innovation Village is empowering Uganda’s innovators.
What drives you?
I’ve always been uncomfortable with the status quo, especially when it doesn’t make logical sense. My mindset constantly asks, “Is there a better, more efficient way to do things?” Efficiency, effectiveness, and efficacy guide my thinking, and I apply these principles to complex challenges. This has led me to work in various sectors like professional services, banking, financial services, and real estate. However, the common thread throughout my career has been innovation—finding new ways to deepen access to markets and increase value for different segments.
In my pursuit of something different, I see real opportunity. I challenge myself and others to step out of our comfort zones. It’s not about being discontent; it’s about continuously imagining new possibilities. That’s why I love reading, conducting research, and diving deep into problems across various sectors.
When tackling any problem, I find it’s best to work backwards to understand the entire value chain. This helps me appreciate the complexity behind solutions and why, for instance, ready-to-eat meals might not be easily available in Uganda. It often comes down to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs—the issue’s urgency and the market’s level. When you break something down, you discover whether your innovation is a game changer or just a pain reliever—like the difference between a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Both offer transportation, but they serve different purposes.
In Africa, we’re survivors by nature, so merging innovation with opportunity means reducing the time it takes to achieve a goal. That’s when markets start paying attention. Another critical point is that value chains are interconnected. For instance, solving financial market stability might also touch on issues like world hunger and housing, so you must consider the bigger picture.
How did you get into real estate?
I’ve always been passionate about finding ways to provide affordable, decent housing for as many people as possible. I often think about this example: I’d be comfortable letting my children play in a community where they’re safe and surrounded by other kids with similar values. But this isn’t the case in informal settlements, where people are preoccupied with survival and safety and where there’s little community cohesion.
It is saddening that most Africans in urban centres, where economic activity is concentrated, are just surviving. That motivated me to think about how we can address the housing crisis with a twist. Affordability isn’t just about cost; it’s about meeting people where they are—considering proximity to amenities and income levels. That’s why projects like the Jinja Expressway are such important innovations.
Real estate also creates jobs. A well-thought-out housing project can employ over 150 people, from masons to architects and suppliers, during its lifespan. Even after construction, people like landscapers and waste managers continue to benefit. While I’ve worked in various real estate spaces, including the Association of Real Estate Agents of Uganda (AREA), I have always focused on creating a robust market network and ensuring ethical standards.
Today, we’re seeing progress. For instance, in collaboration with AREA, the Surveyors Registration Board now regulates real estate agents, creating more trust and collaboration within the sector. I also help produce the Housing Baraza show on NBS, which was launched to democratise access to housing information. We’re currently looking to reshape the show to keep it relevant in the evolving market.
However, my hold is now in the innovation having joined Innovation Village’s Future Labs in 2022.
What do you do at Future Labs?
In short, Future Labs, under Innovation Village, helps innovators address complex societal challenges. We focus on reducing the friction between an idea and its execution, particularly for young people who have the energy to tackle these issues. Our approach revolves around three key pillars:
- You can’t go far alone. Innovators are part of a larger ecosystem. We connect them with the right partners such as the government, industry leaders, SMEs, and social change leaders to grow and address gaps in the market.
- Provide space for collaboration. We offer a platform where new ideas can be born and existing ones can be improved by working together. This collaborative environment helps turn ideas into impactful ventures.
- Refine your approach. We help innovators analyze what’s working and what’s not. From there, we equip them with the tools, advice, and resources to improve their value propositions. We also focus on financing models like grants, angel investors, and pay-as-you-go structures to ensure these innovations can succeed in the market.
At Future Labs, we bring together industry leaders and founders to tap into opportunities that can unlock massive systems of opportunity. Our goal is to empower these innovators to deliver better solutions.
Which of your innovations have made it to the market?
There are many, but one of our recent successes is Agri-solar, a solution for farmers who can’t afford full solar-powered irrigation kits. We offer them a lease-to-own option, paying on a use basis. Another example is MobiPay, part of our Digital Economy Programme, which connects farmers with suppliers and helps them solve challenges by understanding their context better.
Why do many Ugandan innovators struggle to go beyond development?
While we run several programmes to support market-creating innovation, many innovators don’t put in the necessary work. They may not realize that their competitors and investors are working hard, putting in resources. Some don’t fully appreciate the value of going through a systematic thought process, which results in ideas that never leave the hub. However, we maintain an open-door policy to support them. Even if they fail, they can come back, and we’ll try again together.
How can Uganda foster more impactful innovations?
While we often talk about mindset change, people can only change as much as they know is possible. Those who are exposed to new possibilities must share that knowledge with others. Exposure creates “positive discomfort,” pushing people to ask more sophisticated questions. Once we ask better questions, skilling becomes crucial. It equips us to map customer journeys, understand pain points, and seize opportunities to remain relevant.
We also need entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs working together. Too often, intrapreneurs are sidelined because they think differently, but collaboration is key to meeting market needs innovatively.
Outside of Future Labs, what other interests do you pursue?
I’m very curious about the culinary arts. I’ve always wanted to explore gastronomy, and I once tried it in Uganda. I’m also passionate about music and how it connects people. My goal is to fuse electronic sounds with traditional instruments to create something new. At Motiv, another one of our units, we’re also building support for musicians.
Ultimately, I want to merge good music with good food to create environments where people can have genuine, rich conversations.
Any parting thoughts?
Yes, I wish we placed more emphasis on passing down institutional knowledge. Many organisations don’t invest in retaining knowledge or rewarding inquisitiveness. We need to foster a culture of curiosity and co-optation, where businesses and individuals collaborate to innovate and create value faster. As the African Continental Free Trade Area grows, we must rise to the challenge and be deliberate about exploring new possibilities.
Finally, there’s immense opportunity in serving the unserved and underserved markets. Organisations should dedicate part of their R&D to understanding these segments better because empowering them as consumers creates a more sustainable client base.