The Promota Africa Magazine

1. What is your name? My name is Kiyuba Jacob Nelson. 

2. Tell us about your background. I am a pure Ugandan, born in Masaka, West Uganda. I grew up in Kamuli-Butabala/Namisambya village, then moved to Kampala in 1995. I met with the Lord on 26.12.1998 during a vacation when I attended a service in Jinja Miracle Centre Odeon. It was the beginning of my destiny. Upon returning to St. Balikudembe to complete my A-levels, I started the 1st Scripture Union Fellowship as Chairman. 

I was Health Prefect until 2000. In August 2001, inspired by the Holy Spirit, I went out of my way to share the gospel in taxis, Nakawa and Kibuye markets, hospitals and schools.  In October, I joined the Buganda Royal Institute of Business and Technical Institute at Kakeeka for a Diploma in Accountancy.

It is there that I started Scripture Union and was promoted Chairman. In 2002/2003 I stood in for the Guild President. Later I was voted the first young born again guild president in a hot race. It was then that I decided to commit myself  to Lydia, a faithfull and humble lady, who is still my wife today. On Good Friday in 2004 at precisely 7am, I started carrying the 6*12ft cross along the roads of Kampala and Uganda on foot, just as the Lord had commanded me six months previously. In between doing this in 2001, I was also working as a waiter at Edith Restaurant in Ndeeba. 

3. When did you come to Dubai? I left Uganda in May 2005, heading to Dubai  to seek employment as I needed some things to use in my ministry.  Life was not easy but once I landed in Dubai I started, by faith, to carry on. I was almost giving up and on some days I thought I could never smile again, but God remembered his servant. 

4. How do you find life as an African in a religious restricted country

Life is what you make of  it. However, from a a religious perspective, I thank the Lord that the fire of trusting Him and sharing the word has never ceased.  We now have cell group fellowships and church meetings. There is no discrimination in church. However, I found it difficult to preach the gospel to anybody I bumped into because of the language barriers. It is a risk but you feel the purge inside compared to Uganda where you can put crusade anywhere. 

5. How did you become a yacht captain? After doing unprofessional work for 5 months in order to survive, I joined Knotika Holding (www.knotika.com), to work as a cleaner. 
This company has several departments such as Knotika TV, Marine Mall, Sea School, Events, Property etc After some time, by the Grace of God, I was promoted to Sales Executive in the Mall due to my dynamic ways of operation. I was the only black person among 30 white staff. During staff meetings, I found I could go beyond the role of cleaner and give sound suggestions, so everybody new me and liked me. It is in this Mall with its new boats and boat accessories that I found a job in Sales.
An opportunity was given to top staff and management members who wanted to take the first course when they opened the Sea School.  Although I considered my position in the company to be lowly, I applied. I performed well in the “practicals” and in theory achieved second place.  
Early 2007, I took the second level course of bareboat captain/skipper and finally got my license with USA Seal Coastguard, which is accepted worldwide. In March 2007, the Manager for Knotika Sea School opened up a charter company after his boat arrived to Dubai from Spain. After I just took four more courses to be fully accepted and qualified to drive, he requested that I join him. 

6. I noted your yachts are for chartering. Is it  exclusively for the rich or can anyone  come and enjoy a yacht cruise? Anyone can come for a cruise but it costs money. One hour costs $1000. There is a minimum booking of two hours.
Only soft drinks, fuel/crew are provided. Another small boat we have costs $250-500/per hour (min 2hrs). 

7. I understand there is a large community of Ugandans in Dubai. How do you people meet up? We meet every morning starting 6 am at a place called Deir, in front of Viena Hotel. This is the area for hotels where the African Business people reside when they come to Dubai. My friends here act as tour guides to the tourists, assisting them as they purchase goods. Other areas where we meet in are at football parks, church or market for second hand cars. 

8. What inspires you in life? Everyday I am inspired first by the word of God; secondly by my field as a Captain. It’s a challenge to me to study on all Navigation and maintenance of yachts. However, Dubai itself is enough to inspire.
You don’t only see the development but also feel its movement forward at a high speed…it is like somebody is chasing it and it has to run. New roads, flyovers, bridges, skyscrapers - it is really crazy construction going on here. You can’t imagine all this has been done in less than 10 years.

9. What do you advise other Ugandans who want to emigrate to Dubai looking for work? My advice to those who wish to come to Dubai, is that you must have a strong vision not to be derailed from your ambition.
Accommodation and visa charges are very expensive, unless your employer gives you these. However, there are a lot of professional job opportunities but people are discouraged by friends in their search for jobs and end up being blockers/guides. I just refused to be like others, which is why I succeeded.  

10. Any word of wisdomA word of wisdom: I have been successful where others have failed before. The secret is to put all your trust in God through Christ, the hope of the world because when you have that hope, you can’t give up easily.