When Francis Kamulegeya set out to write And Then What?, he intended to document his life journey. What emerges, however, is something far more expansive.
In this foreword, acclaimed journalist and commentator Charles Onyango-Obbo highlights a powerful duality within the book: it is both a personal memoir and a broader chronicle of Uganda’s modern history—told through the lived experience of one man.
More Than a Personal Story
At one level, And Then What? is a deeply reflective account of Francis’s life—his upbringing, education, career, and personal evolution.
But beneath that lies a second narrative: a story of Uganda itself.
Spanning nearly five decades, the book captures the turbulence, resilience, and transformation of a nation. It offers readers not just lessons in personal growth, but a wider lens into African history, identity, and progress.
Roots That Shaped the Journey
Born in Masaka in 1967, Francis’s early life was grounded in a modest, entrepreneurial household.
His mother, Josephine, ran a small-scale enguli (local gin) business—an environment that exposed him early to discipline, trade, and survival. This farming and business heritage becomes a defining thread throughout the book, reinforcing a core idea: what we cultivate—whether land, skills, or character—shapes what we become.
Growing Up in a Nation in Turmoil
One of the most compelling dimensions of the book is its firsthand account of Uganda’s most difficult years.
Francis lived through the instability of the 1970s, including the era of Idi Amin, the economic collapse that followed, and the war that led to his fall in 1979. His childhood unfolded in close proximity to military activity in Masaka, placing him at the heart of events that many only read about in history books.
Where traditional accounts offer dates and summaries, And Then What? provides lived experience—revealing how national upheaval shapes individual resilience.
The Diaspora Experience: Reality Over Illusion
Francis’s move to the United Kingdom marks a significant turning point.
Unlike idealized narratives of instant success abroad, his journey reflects the harder truth: navigating cultural barriers, financial pressure, and systemic limitations. His eventual rise within PricewaterhouseCoopers in London is not portrayed as luck, but as the result of persistence, discipline, and adaptability.
This part of the story speaks to a broader question faced by many in the African diaspora:
What is gained—and what is lost—when one leaves home in pursuit of opportunity?
Returning Home: A Second Act of Purpose
In 2000, Francis returned to Uganda, stepping into a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
His work across East Africa, including time in Nairobi and Kampala, positioned him at the center of a new wave of African enterprise and professional growth. Yet even at the height of corporate success, there remained an underlying sense of unfinished purpose.
That purpose eventually led him to make a rare and bold decision: to step away from the pinnacle of corporate leadership and return to foundational work—investing in agriculture, education, and vocational training in Masaka.
A Life That Bridges Two Worlds
Francis represents a unique balance—equally comfortable in global corporate environments and in local, community-driven spaces.
This duality is what makes And Then What? particularly relevant today. It speaks to a generation navigating the tension between global ambition and local identity.
Rather than choosing one over the other, his story demonstrates that both can coexist—and even strengthen one another.
A Defining African Narrative
Ultimately, And Then What? is more than a memoir. It is a reflection on identity, resilience, and purpose in a rapidly changing world.
It offers a compelling perspective for anyone seeking to understand not only the journey of one man, but also the broader evolution of modern Uganda and Africa.
As Charles Onyango-Obbo suggests, this is a story that operates on two levels:
the personal lessons we seek—and the deeper meaning we discover along the way.
