Alex, 25, had a degree, forty-seven unanswered applications and a father whose advice arrived more regularly than money.

“Stop looking for jobs,” Dad declared. “Create one!”

“With what capital?”

“Your generation wants everything on a silver platter.”

Alex checked the kitchen. Even the plates were plastic.

Mum quietly supplied UGX 300,000. Alex bought shoes to sell online.

Dad forwarded the advert to twelve WhatsApp groups.

“My son. Entrepreneur. Support him!”

Then Dad came home wearing new shoes.

Alex recognised the style.

“Dad! I sell those!”

“I know.”

“Why didn’t you buy mine?”

“Yours are expensive.”

“By ten thousand!”

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

Alex looked towards the avocado tree Dad had spent twenty years telling him to climb.

Uncle Rwamiti arrived halfway through the economic summit.

“Let me understand. Your son must create employment, but your purchasing department has rejected his quotation?”

Dad adjusted his new shoes.

“Business is competition.”

“So is job hunting. You removed him from one queue and congratulated him for joining another.”

Mum suddenly became very interested in washing one clean cup.

Alex opened his notebook.

“If I match that shop’s price, after transport and delivery I make almost nothing.”

“Sell more,” Dad said.

“Lose little little until I become rich?”

Uncle laughed.

“This boy attended some lectures.”

Alex had sold two pairs. His friends had sent seventeen fire emojis and no money.

One had written: PROUD OF YOU, BRO.

“Can I pay my supplier with pride?” Alex asked.

Dad frowned.

“Have a positive attitude.”

“My landlord prefers mobile money.”

YOUR MOVE

You are Alex. Mum has offered another UGX 300,000.

A. TAKE IT. Buy more stock. A wider selection might bring customers, but more of Mum’s money will be tied up in unsold shoes.

B. TEST FIRST. Speak to actual buyers, calculate every cost and try taking orders before buying more stock. You may discover a workable offer, or discover that this business does not add up.

C. PAUSE. Sell the remaining stock and pursue other income options. You protect what remains, but must face Dad asking why you “gave up.”

Dad folded his arms.

“In my day, we didn’t overthink.”

Uncle glanced at his shoes.

“In your day, did thinking also cost ten thousand extra?”

Mum dropped the cup.

It survived.

The family meeting did not.

Alex reaches for Mum’s money. Then stops.

What would you tell him to do, and what evidence would change your mind?

Uncle Rwamiti: Your move! Your move!!

Unclerwamiti.com | PeterosPaths.org

The uncle your parents should probably never have introduced you to. 😎