Sarah Nabukalu Kiyimba
Tribute
Sarah Nabukalu Kiyimba transformed debt into successful hospitality businesses in Uganda while providing for her five children after her husband's death, showing them that adversity reveals capabilities we never knew we had. Beyond her entrepreneurial resilience, we honour the financial challenges conquered alongside childhood grief processed, the business built while rebuilding family stability, and the widow who became a hospitality icon while ensuring her children always felt at home in their mother's love.
Profile
Sarah Nabukalu Kiyimba is a prominent businesswoman renowned for her resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. She owns Hotel Brovad, a leading hotel in Masaka, and an office building that houses a branch of DFCU Bank, both located in downtown Masaka. Her journey into the business world began under challenging circumstances. Following the death of her husband, Suleiman Kiyimba, she found herself responsible for settling substantial debts, including a loan of UGX 172 million from Uganda Commercial Bank, UGX 50 million owed to an individual named Karamaga, and UGX 2 million to the Uganda Electricity Board. Despite having limited formal education and being a stay-at-home mother at the time, she took on the responsibility of managing and expanding her late husband’s business ventures. Through determination and hard work, she not only cleared the debts but also completed the construction of Hotel Brovad and ventured into other business enterprises. Beyond her business accomplishments, Sarah is a mother to five children. Her ability to balance family responsibilities with her business endeavors has been a testament to her strength and dedication. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing how resilience and determination can lead to success even in the face of adversity.