By Ssebunya Joseph and Joan Vumilia
Kampala, Uganda –– A growing number of secondary school students in Kampala and surrounding districts are increasingly engaging in informal digital entrepreneurship alongside formal education, driven by wider access to smartphones and online platforms.
Among them is 16-year-old Nyanzi Martin Luther, a student at Kisozi High School in Wakiso District, who is associated with youth-led digital media activities under the name Apex Media Services.
He is also linked to Apex Digital Skills, a youth-focused initiative that introduces participants to basic digital literacy, content creation, and entrepreneurship concepts.
Nyanzi Martin Luther was born on 5 December 2009 in Kampala, Uganda. He grew up in a family setting that later changed following the separation of his parents. After the separation, he remained with his father while his mother lived separately with one of his siblings.
He began his primary education at St Anne Junior School before transferring to Upendo Christian School. His schooling was affected during Primary Five by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to extended closures of educational institutions across Uganda.
Following the reopening of schools, he resumed his studies and later attended God’s Hands Junior School in Buddo. He subsequently joined MK International School in Busega, where he completed his Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
He is currently a student at Kisozi High School in Wakiso District.
His interest in media and digital content development began during his time at MK International School in 2022. During this period, he began experimenting with basic digital tools and content creation concepts.
This early interest later developed into Apex Media Services, a small-scale digital initiative focused on content production and online communication activities.
He is also associated with Apex Digital Skills, a programme aimed at introducing young people to digital literacy, media production, and entrepreneurship skills. Such initiatives have become increasingly common in Uganda as digital access expands among young people.
As a full-time student, Nyanzi divides his time between academic work and participation in digital media activities outside school hours. Educators in Wakiso District have observed a growing trend of students engaging in small-scale entrepreneurial activities alongside their studies, particularly in urban areas where access to digital tools is more widespread.
Wider context
Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with a significant proportion under the age of 30. Youth unemployment and underemployment remain key challenges, contributing to increased interest in informal entrepreneurship and digital-based work among young people.
Mobile technology and online platforms have made it easier for students to explore income-generating activities, although challenges such as access to capital, data costs, and limited formal support systems remain significant.
Outlook
Nyanzi Martin Luther continues his secondary education while participating in youth-focused digital media and skills development activities.
His experience reflects a broader pattern of students in Uganda increasingly exploring entrepreneurship alongside formal schooling in response to changing technological and economic conditions.
