My Journey: From a Student's Dream to Building KabaleOnline

Hello everyone, my name is Ampeire Samuel, and I am the founder of KabaleOnline.

Many of you have seen the website, maybe you've listed a product, found an event , requested an item or found a service. But today, I want to share the personal story behind the screen—a journey that started not in a big city boardroom, but right here in Kabale, fueled by a problem I faced myself as a first-year university student.

The Spark: A Frustrating Search for a Chair

My journey with Kabale Online began when I was just settling into my first year at university. I had very little money, but I desperately needed to finish my small room with the essentials: a table, a chair, and a small gas cylinder . I knew my best bet was to buy second-hand to save money, but finding sellers was incredibly difficult. After a frustrating, week-long search, I realized our community needed a central, trusted place to connect.

That frustration became an idea. An obsession, even. I saw the incredible hard work of our local business owners, the amazing skills of our artisans and service providers, and the vibrant energy of our community. I also saw they were disconnected from the very people who needed them most. I knew that if I was struggling, others were too.

From a Hostel Room to a Community Platform

With no money, no team, and just the phone I use for my coursework, I started building. Long nights were spent learning to code on campus wifi after finishing my assignments; early mornings were for planning before heading to lectures. That's how KabaleOnline was born—not from investment capital, but from a genuine need I saw and felt in my own home.

As the founder, my mission became crystal clear: to use simple technology to empower the people and businesses of Kabale and the surrounding Kigezi region. My solution had to be for everyone. It's built for our community, by one of its own.

Our Promise: Truly Local, Truly Free

People have asked me, "Why not a bigger city?" My answer is always the same: Kabale is my home. I believe the future isn't just in big capital cities; it's in strengthening our local economies. This platform is my promise to you:

• Free for Everyone: We will never charge a fee to list your items or to contact a seller. It's 100% free.
• Truly Local: This is a platform for Kabale and Kigezi, designed to keep trade convenient and community-focused.
• Simple & Safe: We provide a straightforward platform and always encourage users to meet in safe, public places to complete their transactions.

Being the founder and CEO of KabaleOnline is more than a title. It's a responsibility to every seller who trusts us and every buyer who visits our site. This is just the beginning of a long journey, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have already shown.