Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, shared a glimpse into his humble upbringing by revealing his past involvement in selling pancakes to earn a living.
Tayebwa disclosed that he started his entrepreneurial journey at a young age, delving into the local bakery business of selling pancakes, commonly known as Kabalagala, when he was in Primary Four at a school in western Uganda.
During a recent plenary session, Tayebwa surprised fellow Members of Parliament by introducing a special guest in the VIP chambers – his mentor from his pancake-selling days, James Bebazo.
He reminisced about his experiences, recounting how Mr. Bebazo appointed him as a salesman for the pancakes, which were wrapped in banana leaves. Tayebwa revealed that he used to sell the pancakes during break time and in the evenings after school, and would then report back with accountability the following day.
In a light-hearted moment, Tayebwa shared with Parliament that although he didn’t receive cash for his efforts, his compensation came in the form of pancakes. For every ten pancakes he sold, he would receive one, which he would often share and enjoy with his friends.
The Deputy Speaker’s revelation drew laughter from the assembly, highlighting the contrast between his current esteemed position in Parliament and his humble beginnings as a pancake seller.
Tayebwa’s journey from selling pancakes to becoming Deputy Speaker reflects a common narrative of individuals who have risen from humble backgrounds to occupy influential positions. He joins the ranks of other notable leaders in the region, such as Kenyan President William Ruto, who also started with modest beginnings – Ruto sold chickens during his childhood in the rift valley of Kalenjin.
