University finalist starts making wigs in Lockdown

BUSINESS | LOCKDOWN 

Patricia Nansamba, a finalist at Kyambogo University, is making wigs which she gets to sell via social media.

Nansamba who is finding the businesses lucrative is a first-timer as she  began with little capital.

Nansamba, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in oil and gas production, says she became impatient with the delayed reopening of learning institutions which forced her to find something to keep her busy.

"When I realised that by June schools had not opened, I decided to look for some productive work.

The hair business attracted me because from childhood, I loved hair.

I went to Gayaza High School, where we were allowed to grow our hair.

I had also learnt a lot to do with hair. The hair business has a big market in Uganda. So, I searched YouTube for tutorials about making wigs without using machines. I now make custom-made wigs for sale," Nansamba says.

She adds that it took her one week to learn because she already knew needlework from school.

She made two wigs during her YouTube tutorials and kept on repeating the stitches until she perfected the skill.

Custom-made wigs have a piece of fine mesh that has tiny hairs knotted into it, which follow the hairline of the wearer and give the illusion that the wig is actually growing from the scalp of the person wearing it. It does not have an abrupt hairline featured on most wigs.

Nansamba says she had some savings from her pocket money, which she used to buy the mannequin head.

She uses the dummy head to make different wigs, depending on the customer's preference.

"I am currently working from home in Mutundwe and delivering to clients using bodaboda," Nansamba says.

"I now have customers who come with their own new or used weaves and ask me to make them wigs.

 It takes me only three hours to weave it. Others do not come with weaves so I have to go to the city centre to buy them," she says.

She makes both short and long wigs, depending on the customer's preference.

Nansamba uses social media to market her business.

Her best friend, Martha Baganizi, is the one who shares the posts on Facebook and Instagram.

Her brother, Amos Kuteesa, also supports her in marketing the products through his Facebook account and WhatsApp groups.

She also physically meets friends and relatives to talk about her business.

Her mother, Aida Lwanga, says her daughter taught her how to make the wigs and she can now help her when she has many orders to work on.

"I encourage my daughter in making the wigs because our country is promoting vocational skills to solve youth unemployment," Lwanga says.

Nansamba's challenges include capital and lack of a work station where customers can find her.

"I will continue with this wig business because it has a big potential. Even when I graduate and get a job, I will make it my side business," she says