Lead the Shift

The is a true story of a city top executives in a developing economy, grappling with the implementation of a government policy shift. The struggles include navigating the delicate political terrain, limited budgets, and meeting the needs of different stakeholders, among others. The narrative unravels the intricacies of navigating the corridors of power in the efforts to implement policy. It opens a window for one to witness the multiplicity of actions that take place when a leader manages institutional policy reforms. Secondly, it touches the lives of the marginalized in society, the bayaye, as they are commonly called in Kampala city. These are the illiterate idlers in downtown Kampala, who etch a living largely from unlawful means.

But more importantly, this book chronicles the journey of leading innovation and change and unpacks a unique model. It highlights the leadership non-negotiables, courage, resilience, wisdom, teamwork, and negotiation skills. All these qualities are demonstrated in the leadership actions taken in the book. As a result, the city achieved a phenomenal shift for thousands of bayaye, who transitioned from etching a livelihood through unlawful acts to absorption into the money economy. This is a story of turmoil turned into triumph in a very short period of three years. The narrative is instructive to other leaders faced with leading an organisational shift or even a personal shift whether in business or politics. It will resonate well with those who struggle fiercely in the trenches of commerce and politics, where the adage of dog-eat-dog reigns supreme. 

This story is set in Kampala City, a bustling commercial centre with over two million residents, and focuses on the period 2020-2024. It is pregnant with practical leadership nuggets while providing a record of the tension-filled twists and turns. It is a story of the power of a strong desire, faith and persistence.