For Ham Namakajjo, supporting entrepreneurs is more than just business development, it’s about empowering people to build sustainable, scalable businesses with confidence. As an independent coach and consultant, Ham works closely with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping them develop strategic positioning, refine their business models and prepare for funding opportunities.  
 
His journey into mentoring wasn’t planned, it evolved organically. Entrepreneurs frequently sought his advice, eager to tap into his extensive experience spanning telecoms, management consulting and tech startups. He naturally stepped into the role of a mentor, offering guidance on strategy, decision-making and business growth. However, he soon realised something important: “I was having conversations with entrepreneurs, giving them advice – but I wasn’t sure I was doing them justice. I knew I needed to structure these conversations better, so that mentees would get real value from them.” 

This realisation led Ham to The Human Edge’s Mentoring Skills and Practice (MSP) programme, a decision that would reshape how he approaches mentoring, leadership and communication. 

Coming from a consulting background, Ham was used to a solutions-driven approach. When someone brought him a problem, he felt compelled to provide an answer. But through the MSP programme, he experienced a major shift in mindset: “Consultants are trained to give answers. But mentoring isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about helping entrepreneurs find their own. That shift was powerful for me.” 

The programme introduced Ham to structured questioning techniques that encourage mentees to think critically and take ownership of their challenges. Instead of offering direct solutions, he learned how to ask the right questions, helping mentees explore different perspectives and uncover solutions on their own. 

This approach wasn’t just impactful for him—it transformed how his mentees engaged in conversations. “At first, mentees were a little disoriented when I stopped giving immediate answers. But I started seeing these ‘aha’ moments, where they realise they already have the answers, they just needed guidance to get there.” 

One of Ham’s biggest takeaways from the MSP programme was the importance of active listening. He realised that, like many professionals, he often listened with the intent to respond, rather than fully understanding the mentee’s perspective. “I used to listen for a point where I could jump in and provide a solution. But this programme taught me to truly listen—to be present, to observe non-verbal cues and to create space for mentees to think through their own challenges.” 

This deeper self-awareness also impacted how he communicates across different cultural and business contexts. Working with entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, he recognised how his own communication style could influence interactions. By being more intentional in how he frames questions and delivers feedback, he was able to build stronger connections with both mentees and professional collaborators. 

Ham is now focused on expanding structured mentoring within Uganda’s SME ecosystem. As he works with entrepreneurs, business coaches and ecosystem builders, he sees a growing demand for more structured, long-term mentoring relationships. This will require:  

Bridging the gap between coaching and mentoring: While business coaching is already established in many programmes, Ham sees mentoring as a critical complement, offering long-term support beyond technical skills training. 

Training industry experts in mentoring skills: He believes functional experts in areas like marketing, finance, and operations should be equipped with mentoring skills to better support entrepreneurs. 

Building a stronger culture of mentoring: In Uganda, mentoring relationships often exist informally, but Ham sees an opportunity to increase awareness and structure these engagements for greater impact. “Entrepreneurs don’t just need funding or technical advice—they need a trusted sounding board. Someone who can help them think critically, work through challenges, and grow alongside their business.” 

For Ham, the MSP programme has been transformative, providing practical frameworks, structured methodologies and a strong peer network. He would highly recommend it to others supporting entrepreneurs: “There are so many people out there supporting entrepreneurs, but they may not realise that mentoring is a skill in itself. This programme equips you with the tools to mentor effectively, so that both mentors and mentees get real value from the relationship.” 

With a refined approach to mentoring, greater self-awareness and a vision for integrating mentoring into Uganda’s entrepreneurial landscape, Ham Namakajjo isn’t just advising entrepreneurs, he’s helping build a stronger, more connected ecosystem of support. 

Ham took part in the Mentoring Skills and Practice for Supporter of Entrepreneurs Course in September 2024. The programme involved 123 mentors from 16 countries across SSA and MENA. For more details on the Mentoring Skills and Practice Course, click here.