Memorable!!

The Apprentice Africa show ends tomorrow with the enigmatic crowning of Isaac as the first African Apprentice. What a ride it has been. I captured special moments 'live' on TV relived here below. More will be coming. Enjoy!





Isaac [behind Nancy] with the winning smile. Then Tunde and Eddie. These dudes were dangerous!












Deox relaxes next to one of the uniform sets designed in task no. 14. They lost to Matrix Corp.





















Nancy was sooo pretty on the night she was fired














Paul manages a smile while Shobanjo toys with who to fire















Eunice leads Matrix members into prayer shortly before a task
















Shobanjo may have been tough but he was quite adorable

Apprentice Deox is open for business

Homeboy Deox Tibeingana became the 15th contestant to be fired from The Apprentice Africa show. I'm still shocked to write anything as you well know my money was on him to win. But here's an article about him that run in Sunday Vision.

He may have been fired in episode 15, but Deox Tibeingana was arguably Uganda and East Africa’s most outstanding candidate in the Apprentice Africa show.

The 30-year-old lawyer, who specialises in land matters and debt collection, will go down in Apprentice Africa’s annals as the only contestant who walked away with an unblemished record. He never failed a task as Project Manager.

He may have been fired, but he may end up the real winner as the three finalists prepare for the boardroom showdown in the Apprentice Africa house.

Wannabe tycoons Eunice Omole, Blessing Njoku and Isaac Kwabena are fighting it out to become Africa’s first Apprentice. Despite one of them being handed a six-figure job in CEO Biodun Shobanjo’s empire, Deox believes he’ll end up real winner.

While victory in the Apprentice Africa house will bring about a sense of obscurity for the actual winner who will most likely be tucked away in an office working for the $200,000 (sh360m), Deox, who says he’s now a “superstar in his own right”, is ready to cash in immediately after appearing on the show. His main regret is missing out on the $50,000 SUV that comes with becoming the first African Apprentice.

“With the blessings of the show producers, I am already printing a book — a behind-the-scenes look at what actually happened at the Apprentice Africa house. It features a lot of what the fans never got to watch in different episodes as the show is heavily edited. It is a must-read. I have also started a website, www.tibeingana.com, where I’ll interact with fans,” Deox, the CEO of Tibeingana & Co. Advocates, who appears in all but one of the episodes, assures.

Interestingly the untitled book, edited by James Amuta, the editor of the Apprentice Africa website, will be released in November 2008, before auditions for Apprentice Africa II. It will also act as a useful handbook for the contestants. If Deox’s arithmetic translates into legal tender, he’ll amass sh2b in record time. “If I sell a copy at $15 (sh20,000) and distribute over 100,000 copies, we are talking sh2b. As the only one among the 18 contestants to write a book, I’ll leverage from the show, whose biggest fans are in the US and UK. Nigeria also has a very big following,” he says.

We might soon see a lawyer doing an art exhibition in Kampala, for Deox still toys with an idea of auctioning memorabilia like the art pieces, paintings and school uniforms designed by the Zulu Corp. in the different tasks. For him, it’s all about the money — and this isn’t because he’s a lawyer. He’s a hustler.

As a fresher at Makerere University’s Lumumba Hall in 1996, he pioneered the art of vending fresh fruits from Kalerwe Market in the early mornings before packing and vending them at students’ canteens for more pay. He then started organising student trips to South Africa and Mombasa and in came more money and exposure.

So, how could a hustler get reduced to smithereens by Blessing Njoku and the CEO, when it appeared he would outwit them into survival?
“The CEO’s mind is made up. He acted like Blessing’s lawyer. If he looked at track records, Blessing should have been fired. You guys watch edited stuff. Forget his official advisers Mini and Paul. The CEO is even advised by the cameramen. The build-up to the firing is just like any drama which builds up to a climax. But a lot goes on. A firing session can last three hours,” he says.

Did you know Blessing had a “crush” on Deox? Behind the scenes, she stuck onto him like chewing gum under a shoe sole. He apparently never gave in, for, even if he wanted, there was no time and, besides, it was the already fired Regina Agyare who struck him the most. But the thought of his wife and two lovely sons kept him in check. “The Blessing you saw in the boardroom was a woman scorned. Blessing acted for the cameras. She even cried before the cameras. Can you imagine a CEO crying? Could you hire such a person? Her tears were a build-up for the boardroom. She knew they (tears) are the only necessary lubricant to get you out of tight situations: they worked on the CEO. Blessing was a drama queen. Period.”

Interestingly Deox has issues with his other Ugandan counterparts, Nancy Kalembe and Oscar Kamukama. “They never did research about Nigeria. I learnt a smattering of Yoruba and Pidgin before the show. I blended in well,” he says.

As for Nancy, she never studied the dynamics of the game. She never saw through the scam of the West African ladies. They are go-getters and would do anything to get the money. Nancy paid for opening up too much to Blessing, Eunice and Kathleen off-camera. They exploited her good nature, in Deox’ estimation.

Oscar had a blast, though. Deox reveals that he, together with Kenya’s Eddie and Anthony and Nigeria’s Nnamdim used to go to bed at 5:00am daily, for the obvious reasons: drinks were plentiful. The teetotaller Deox often settled for coffee.

For Deox, Biodun Shobanjo might not be a Donald Trump, but he (Deox) believes he left a more rounded person who can now do things he never dreamt of doing. The way he caresses the plaque issued by Troyka Holdings to his team for an outstanding performance in Episode 10 would make his own wife envious.

Without reservations, Deox mentions 30-year-old Ghanaian Isaac Kwabena, the person whom he thinks will win the first episode of Apprentice Africa.

“He won my respect for his brilliant ideas,” he concludes.

Who among the four 'superdelegates' will be the African Apprentice?

I'll miss the gladiator, as he loved to call himself. I'll miss his blabbering; his concrete West-African accent, and his mischievous boyish grin.

In the thirteenth week, he plotted to "bring down" homeboy Deox Tibeingana –it appeared to me he was afraid of him. Ironically, it's Deox that brought down this "city-zen of Lagos" the following week.

When he admitted while fighting for his life in the boardroom that he was a leader of over 500 church men, I smiled broadly and again at the gentlemanly grace with which he took his downfall.

Fellow contenders didn't know it's this soft exterior hiding his crafty self that pushed Tunde to the top five –the 'super delegates' –if you ask me. But when he was made Zulu Corp. project manager, he looked large in his suave coat.

Suddenly, he carried himself with an important air, scratched his nonexistent beard, looked at his watch like a tycoon now and then. In that role, Tunde –like most African leaders –was very hard to advise. Instead of using the creative energies of Blessing, who has experience with children, and I might add, their dress sense, he relied on a 'specialist'.

You could see it in his eyes that all was well as he introduced his team's 'A New Me' design. I loved the creations and the kids loved them too, but like Shobanjo observed, they were good enough to wear to parties not to school.

So Deox was not trying to sound witty when he asked Tunde to accept responsibility for the team's loss and honourably resign. And so was Blessing when she said Tunde had indulged in reckless confidence that cost them dearly.

As it is, the firing of Tunde went a long way to validate that old adage that pride leadth to a fall.

Let it be a lesson to the surviving contenders, especially to our boy Deox. For at this stage of game it takes very little to slip.

'That's very good' --Shobanjo tells Deox Tibeingana

As Project Manager, he has led his team to victory thrice! He has never lost his cool over tasks. Uganda's Deox Tibeingana is the expert of The Apprentice Africa show!

He has from day one been basking in glory in what so far remains an outstanding season of the ultimate job interview. Of the remaining contestants, Matrix Corporation's Isaac is the only genuine threat to our boy because he's a hard thinker, bold and very articulate. But we shall handle him when time comes.

You might be asking why I didn't write last week. Because I was mad Zulu Corporation was robbed. You remember Matrix Corporation bended the rules and distributed fliers when it should not have been the case. Then the C.E.O went ahead and changed game plan only when the game was over. Both teams were to be judged basing on which made more profit. Zulu did. Zulu were victors. But Shobanjo the dictator judged stage talent, robbing for Matrix. But as God is fair Deox survived.

On Sunday, it was great to see our boy admitting, like any mortal, that he was proud to among the six remaining candidates, and the only one from East Africa –something that will continue to inspire him to keep the regional flag flying high in Lagos.

As Zulu Corp project manager, he once again had a winning plan where each of his teammates would sell 20 cartons of Tetmosol soap. The same strategy worked in the make-your-own-drink-and-sell-at-a-mall challenge, making Zulu win even when they sold out early and couldn't get to mix more cocktails. The secret to this strategy is that it inspires members to work hard because in case of loss it’s the poor salesman that gets fired.

There Deox was trying out his negotiation skills among the business shrewd Igbos. His persuasive prowess as a lawyer came in handy and he managed to close quite some deals. If Deox was a soccer coach leading his team in the Champions League final, he would have been Sir Alex Ferguson while Isaac would have been Avram Grant.

When a customer retracted his Zulu contract and took it to Matrix because he had been told the promotion was going for six months instead of two, Deox's sarcasm was the best: "Matrix will have a 'good' day in the boardroom tomorrow," he declared. I was still relishing that line made more beautiful because Deox knew he would win when naïve Tunde spoilt my fun saying, "I'll take out Deox and Blessing in the boardroom…"

Stupid! He should be the one to be taken out the next time Zulu [God forbid] loses.

As for Blessing, she has, since joining Zulu, become a likeable team player. It was fun watching her hustling with the big boys. She won the respect of tough business men and I liked it when she said she has "renewed respect for the Igbo man" because he can't be cheated. For good measure, she added that she too had a shrewd business sense and could not be intimidated.

It was a proud moment for Uganda, when Shobanjo admitted that it was very good of Deox to win thrice as project manager. In essence he was saying, 'Deox is the man, give way, Deox is the champ!'

So the 'unconquerable' Kathleen was conquerable after all? Great because her performance in that particular task was disgraceful. She wore a mean face all through and managed to seal very few deals. It was fair that she was sent back to Cameroon to eat yams.

Isaac has said it would be very painful for him to leave, and he's smart that one. Eunice knows how to fight and her beauty has consistently blinded Shobanjo. Deox always makes wise plans, he's still big in the game. Meaning Tunde and Blessing have already booked space on the next flight.

Dude, it's like the game has just began!

Poor Nnamdi and how Deox Tibeingana helped his team secure another victory

I'm still shocked that drama queen Eunice survived again. Would Shobanjo like to tell us why? Is he keeping her to amplify boardroom drama? Eunice the schemer, Eunice the losing project manager, Eunice that badmouthes her teammates without any show of respect –why is this Eunice still in The Apprentice Africa?

The guy with the magnetic presence and business shrewdness, Nnamdi, shouldn't have left, if we dissect his general performance in the business task that led to his demise. That Shobanjo could buy Eunice's sloppy excuse of being misguided by Nnamdi to price their products cheaply, is nauseating. If Eunice had any business genes, if Eunice was shrewd, she would have had a premonition the price Nnamdi suggested would not turn in the profit they needed to succeed.

Can Shobanjo tell me why he ignored Isaac's accusation of Eunice for not having a budget for the team? Can he tell me why he closed his eyes to the cash Eunice burned on cucumbers? Did he remember Nnamdi's ability to harmonise and secure his team victory when he was Zulu project manager in task no.7? Did he remember that Nnamdi was the brain behind the magnetic juice-dispensing machine that attracted more customers? Didn't he know that Nnamdi got the best price deals on the few of needs they needed for the task? The mediocrity of Eunice in this task was inexcusable. Why didn't Shabanjo then send her back to her catwalking ways?

Viewers will miss Nnamdi's flamboyance and ability to light up the show. He always served the viewer his trademark broad smile whenever Zulus were declared task winners. Though out, his never-say-die mentality and competitive style reminiscent of his idol, Sir Richard Charles Branson, will help to build his own business empire. He said it right when he told James Amuta in a post-eviction interview that TAA house is like "a business school crack programme, teaching you what people spend a year or two to learn in eighteen weeks". He was leaving the house, he said, better prepared to face the challenges ahead.

If Eunice thinks the crown is near now that Nnamdi is gone she's wrong because Deox Tibeingana lingers. The Ugandan lawyer has become the professor of TAA; he has mastered the game, and his ceaseless tactical maneuvers have so far helped him to successfully dodge the swinging pendulum that has knocked down five of his fellow East Africans and six others from the rest of the continent.

While Matrix members were dumping their seed money on the impressionable juice-but-not-money-dispensing machine and other expensive fruits, Zulu bought cheap concentrates which Deox mixed to make the famous drink that buyers found tastier. When Matrix stationed in one place with the bully-look-alike Kathleen behind the counter, Deox asked his teammates to vend a bucket worth 50 drinks and the least seller would be recommended for sacking in case they lost. It was also his idea that they wear their best business suits and use the sophisticated exterior to charge high prices and make more money. Where a Matrix cup of juice went for 250 Naira, Zulu sold the same for 1,000 Naira. This is super-duper salesmanship; the kind that turns in maximum profit and steers businesses to the top.

Think about this: Matrix had their marketplace in entrance 1 jammed with all kinds of people (potential customers) and Zulu were in a ‘hideout’ with hardly anyone about. Matrix had a 'magnetic' juice machine. Zulu didn't. Matrix had a catchy brand name –'Sunblast'. Zulu didn't. Matrix run out of cups and purchased more. Zulu run out of drinks and couldn't get more because their office was locked. Matrix sold more. Zulu sold few. Matrix lost. Zulu WON!

Why? Because being wise is better than being strong. Deox Tibeingana was the engine behind the wisdom of Zulu Corporation. And how can one forget the hilarious sack race at Takwa Bay in which he beat Regina, or his quotable quote of the week –the about Matrix's machine or robot that never scared him? Uganda is proud of its son.

Is Eunice a Witch?

God did you see Eunice Omole hacking Nancy Kalembe with her hard and long beak?

She has no leadership genes, she had no plan for the task, she didn't know what a media campaign is, The Apprentice Africa is above her station, she should be fired, the shameless Eunice blubbered on, in the ugliest drama of manners I never want to watch again.

By the way, is she not the one that threatened to slaughter Omar Bar and scatter his pieces all over the boardroom?

And they say in her profile that "Eunice can easily be described as the warmest person in the world?"

Save us.

Tell Eunice to give glory to Jesus, for had she not arrived when Nancy had long been soiled by preceding tasks, she would have been buried in the boardroom, her drawn beak not withstanding.

To think she thumped her chest saying finished off Nancy. How dumb can one be? We all know Nancy got fired not because Eunice told Biodun Shobanjo to fire her. She was fired because she had become the boardroom veteran.

The thing is, Eunice didn't like Nancy's "balls." When she returned to Matrix Corporation, she wanted to drive everybody about but Nancy exerted her authority as Project Manager and told her off. Naturally she was happy to see Nancy go but she should not kid us that she masterminded her exit because she lacks the wits to do so.

I interviewed one of the fired contestants who described Eunice in the most dramatic fashion I've ever seen and heard: "She's witch, a witch. Eunice's a witch, that woman's a witch!!”
....................................

Welcome back home, Nancy, and may God's richest blessings surround you and everything you do.

And to you Deox Tibeingana, in your steady hands, the East African flag will flutter on in the Lagos wind till the night you'll return with the ultimate The Apprentice Africa scoop. To the very end, we are with you.

P.S. Read about Sunday's episode on The Apprentice Africa website.

Letter to Eddie Mbagua

Deox de Man

Dear Eddie Mbagua,

Allow me to begin by saying that your shelving of Nancy Kalemba from Biodun Shobanjo's missiles was not the most selfless move after the death of Jesus Christ for mankind. It should go down in history as the stupidest move ever pulled by anyone.

You really disappointed Mr. Shobanjo. I saw the hurt in his eyes as he praised your salesmanship and leadership abilities before he pointed his revolver at you and fired, and I knew he'll never forgive you.

The famous tagline --"You pay for what you use" -- was brilliant, and should have won your team praise from the Celtel executives had you made that the main thread of the Route-to-Market presentation. But you let Nancy [who has found a niche messing things up] handle the important financial projection, thus overshot it by 1,000% and cost the team dearly.

For that, she deserved to be 'shot' a dozen times but you used your prerogative as Matrix Corporation project manager to remove her head from the noose because she had become the veteran of the boardroom? It's true she had but only because of her devastating performances. Should a 'criminal' then get off like that?

Looking back, your austereness and electric approach to things was always great to behold. You were Kenya's last soul surviving and the third East African but you chose to deny us when we still needed you. In fact, you were my number one dangerous substitute in case intrigue and politics in the house brought down Deox Tibeingana.

By sealing your own tragic fate, you confirmed what your 'predecessor' Oscar Kamukama told James Amuta his post-eviction interview –that Matrix Corporation is 100% jinxed. It showed in the way you cried after hearing the dreaded "You are fired." A man does not cry like that. Besides, you left Shobanjo no option but to fire you. What did you want him to do? By the way, did you cry because you were going to miss Regina or you wept after a late realization that you shouldn't have sacrificed yourself for a poor performer like Nancy?

Dude, your guts to "thank" your boss after firing you were out of this world. Hopefully the woman you saved will take an old advice from my primary English teacher, pull up her socks and show the world that it was not in vain that you rescued her.

Otherwise, big ups to Zulu Corporation's winning ways and more so to Deox for remaining the team's Midas touch. When the self-assured Eunice was asked by a Celtel executive how they should move the Red Phone faster among the public, the beauty lost her self-assuredness and mumbled incoherently until Deox saved her from further humiliation.

With a -don't-worry attitude, Deox talked of Celtel's transparency, that all that was needed was to convince the public; make them see the great qualities such as the precise billing the great Red Phone had over other payphones from their competitors. The official smiled satisfactorily and told Shobanjo how Deox had been impressive in the "Questions and Answers following the presentation…"

Shobanjo has consistently said he's looking for the best manager, someone with passion and insight, a delivery man, a leader, a fast thinker, a strategist, an individual that knows something on everything. Mix his real life ventures with the extraordinary way he has continually helped Zulu Corporation lift the coveted 'trophy' from Matrix Corporation and that man is none other than Deox.

If you think otherwise, stand up and let's hear what you think.

Oscar Betrayed, Deox Rocks On

Last week was a black week for Uganda as our son Oscar Kamukama became a sacrificial lamb at The Apprentice Africa.

I knew something fishy has been going on when the C.E.O closed his other eye to Eddie's confession that he priced the art pieces cheaply thereby making Matrix Corporation lose to Zulu on the financial front. Shobanjo allowed Regina to bring Oscar to the boardroom without questioning. Had he been as fair as Portia of Shakespeare, he would have fired Eddie for incompetence the moment he confessed.

Besides, he should not let steamy romance spoil things. It's no longer a rumour; Regina and Eddie have something going between them, otherwise it should have been Eddie and someone else in that boardroom. Oscar and Nancy had four paintings each, two more than their counterparts in the team. Oscar wooed all the guys who bought the pieces and his painting of a voluptuous woman was the highlight and sold well. We must not forget his previous magnetic performances –like when he sold ropes in the Street Hustle task and got a tip, and his concept of shoes for the Bank PHB newspaper insert that helped his team to excel when he was project manager. How could he then be in the boardroom on Sunday?

I've been the number one fan of Mr. Shabanjo but if he continues to foment this unfairness he'll lose me. First it was Omar and now Oscar? Although I know such glitches are left to pass to heighten drama and tension, after all controversy always sells, it hurts when it's overtly done.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

And now, kudos once again to our boy Deox Tibeingana. His determination as project manager to steer his team to victory as the only sure way of avoiding the ever raised glistening axe of Shobanjo must be applauded. We must remember this is his second victory as project manager –no mean achievement by any standards considering many project managers have been fired.

Besides, Deox has come to be that only man at the show that says something and means [implements] it. He said "of all the tasks we've had this is the most difficult" but was glad it would bring out the best in him and his team. It's this inspired brilliance that has turned him into a golden boy –the kind that Shobanjo is looking for, the one who leads by example, the one who dares, that one who dreams, achieves and actualizes.

Then he compellingly narrated that story of needy school boys headed by one Victor he met at the gallery. That he asked Shobanjo that part of the proceeds from the paintings be used to meet the scholastic needs of the boys to put a smile on the little faces, tells of that big heart dwelling in his broad chest. My sister, who was watching the show with me, was overwhelmed by his kindness and shed a tear. We now know that if he lands the fat-salaried job that The Apprentice Africa will offer the last man/woman standing, he'll use most of his earnings to help the underprivileged.

Friend, it does not hurt to identify with a man with a heart of gold. As I've often said, and as surely as heaven rhymes with haven, if Deox is not betrayed by the ugly politics already brewing in that house he'll be the next African Apprentice.

Why Diox Will Win [Part II]

So the Kenyan beauty, Joyce Mbaya had herself fired this week? That's why I don't harbour tender feelings for worms that allow the waves to swallow them without putting up a fight.

Otherwise, I'm here, by way of analysis, to present to you the second and last part –why I think Deox Tibeingana will be crowned the 2008 African Apprentice.

Deox never forgets his winning mentality. In his first role as Zulu Corporation task manager, Shobanjo asked him how his team had performed, and was assured they would win by a 64% margin; something that was confirmed minutes later. This quality has made the doting father of two an outstanding achiever at a tender age of 30.

Deox doesn't call a spade a big spoon. He voiced his disappointment with the leadership of our brother Oscar in the sixth business task but rescued him with enterprising ideas. Even Kathleen noticed that "Oscar has not been able to make a central decision and stick by it without assertion from Deox." But the Zulu Corporation won and our boys survived.

You may raise your hand if you have a different view but Deox has been the fulcrum of Zulu Corporation from day one. The likes of Nnamdi are cocky but when Deox opens his mouth, he pulls the attention because his ideas are always great. It's for this that he has never faced the 'army court martial' presided over by Shobanjo since the show began.

In fact, evening whispers reveal he impressed the judges the most during auditions. Whereas Nancy's "average ideas" have miffed Blessing, Deox continues to wow his 'friends'. One of his philosophical ideologies goes: "A fit body is the domain of a sound mind" and at the show he's been striving to remain physically and mentality fit which explains his stellar performance.

Deox is a game reader and team player and comes with the shrewdness of a street lawyer. He has traveled widely and not even Shobanjo can intimidate him with his curtness. Pundits have defined him as quiet but with "some sort of very powerful personality about him" while his fellow competitor Eddie called him "a pillar of stability that can hold a team together."

It's a mark of integrity to give credit where it's due. When Kathleen joined Zulu Corporation, Deox was visibly disappointed because "We've always known Kathleen even before she came to Zulu as a b****" but when she excelled by steering the team to victory, Deox retracted his statement and embraced her. It's this sincere integrity that fellow contestants and viewers have come to immensely admire about him.

Did you know that he began taking lessons in Pidgin English from his chaperon as soon as he landed in Lagos for the show? It helped him to quickly adapt to the new environment and to feel at home and communicate well and get along very well with fellow contestants.

The likes of Tunde are openly opportunistic and loud-mouthed like the dogs that bay but don't bite. But if The Apprentice Africa was a fable, Deox would be clever little Mr. Hare with the doctor's white coat, a protruding tail and goggles to complete the package.

Call him crafty if you want, but for Deox, there is a time to bark and a time to lurk. For him it ain't over till it's over! He wants the money but more than that he will enter records for inspiring young Ugandans to hit the world stage and play with the big boys without fear, as he's doing.

Six contestants have so far been fired and emotional pressure is high but Deox calmly observed that the "spirit is very low… people are busy collaborating and conspiring, thinking of whom to take to the boardroom" meaning that he has dissected the situation. He was conspicuously missing in the boardroom on Sunday and Shobanjo said he was sick. But I think Deox used his time to think, so watch out.

It's no longer a secret that the man of all seasons will be the last one holding on after the swinging pendulum has thrown off the rest down the cliff. Then he will be handed the keys of the Mercedes, a job with an annual salary of US$200,000 and Uganda will feel proud than ever! If you have a different view, you have the privilege of having the matter settled in the courts of law. But until next time, God richly bless you!

Why Deox Will Win [In Two Parts]

Part I

When I first wrote on this blog that Deox will be the Apprentice Africa champ, a friend who's following the show keenly asked how can I be sure. I told him I was going to analyze the life and times of Deox so far to determine if indeed he has a winning personality.

Deox, according to his website, was born in Rukungiri, a small district in south western Uganda, 30 years ago, to humble parents. So humble in fact that at the age of five, he was already slashing people's compounds for money with which to buy scholastic materials.

He finished his primary school with flying colours and joined Kisubi Minor Seminary from where he seriously thought of becoming a priest. Luckily he didn't otherwise we wouldn't be enjoying watching him on The Apprentice Africa.

His was an academic rollercoaster that saw him admitted to St Mary's College Kisubi for his Advanced Level studies. He took to French heartily and shortly after A-Level won a scholarship to study the language at the Universite de Poitiers.

Upon his return, Deox joined Makerere University on government scholarship to study Law. But the spirit of entrepreneurship made him restless and he started supplying pineapples to university canteens and shops in neighbouring Wandegeya. Deox used his profits to open a tour travel firm where he flew students on trips South Africa.

Later, after university, Deox flew to the U.S where he did several stints: data entry specialist, call center specialist and cashier and teller at the successful Stop & Shop super market chain.

He even took to modelling. Had the love of mother Africa not impelled him to return home, Deox would perhaps be big in Hollywood today!

Back home, he joined UTL as a call centre supervisor and was swiftly promoted to Online Customer Care Manager.

But his adventurous hormones drove him to UK where he worked in a butchery, and later as a truck driver and delivery man. With his savings he set up Lincom Staffing, a sales company and some of his clients included One2net.

He also opened a call-box company, opening the way for several others to sprout across the city.
It was time for Deox to return to his noble profession. He set up his own law firm in 2007, partnered with some of the brightest lawyers in what is today known as Tibeingana & Co. Advocates.

Alongside law, he became a property developer, a real estate agent and construction worker. Was hired by UMEME, Uganda's only electricity distributor company to handle the technical aspects of customer care.

As a lawyer, Deox visited prisons to give free advice to prisoners on how to arrange for bail.

He also empowered his people with the knowledge of their rights and constructed three boreholes with his money.

He may be young in lamb but he has verily done it all, and successfully so. He's handsome, inventive, considerate, magnanimous, thorough, vigorous, erudite, ambitious, adorable, resolute, alert, experienced, steadfast, audacious yet modest, versatile, independent and charismatic.

In the final part, I'll examine his stellar performance at the show and why it will win him the crown.