Ian Kaigwa Wamala graduated with a degree in Business and Management with first class honours in July 2026. We asked Kai to reflect on his time at Kent
1.Why did you choose to study Business and Management at Kent Business School?
“I want to have a company of my own one day. Although I live in the UK, my grandfather is a businessman in Uganda and he has been my inspiration since I was young.”
2. Which projects or experiences stand out?
“My first project was with a startup events company called EventsMeetsWorld. Adedapo Dalley, the founder, was very supportive and took me to some of his pitches, where I got to meet other startup founders who were pitching their ideas to investors. I got to see the different things they consider and how those ideas are delivered to an investor. I can’t thank him enough for that experience.
For the KBS Challenge, I did a consultancy project for one of the largest independent motor groups in Kent, Barretts of Kent. We developed a framework to help them understand their marketing performance more clearly. I was the project lead and when I gave my recommendations, the Barretts representatives were very attentive. I felt real confidence, because what I had to say was valuable to them.”
3. Was there a challenge that changed the way you thought about business?
“The Barretts challenge helped me understand that no one is above a challenge. Here was a large, successful business, willing to engage students for help understanding and solving a real operational challenge they were facing. It underscored for me that you’re never too established, too expert, or too successful to seek outside perspectives and admit you have room to improve. That’s a lesson about always staying humble, curious, and open to new thinking that I’ll carry with me.”
4. What skills or qualities have you developed most during your degree?
“I would say – curiosity, willingness to learn, leadership, and proactiveness. Data analysis, Communication, teamwork and collaboration definitely.”
5. Were there any lecturers or modules that made a significant impact?
“Learning how Python works, and how to programme your own models stands out.
The entrepreneurship module showed me the planning and preparation required to start a company.
As Head of Operations for our startup, I realised that our pricing strategy was wrong and that we wouldn’t make a profit or meet our cost of production. That was a big lesson for me. It showed me practically how important it is that multiple teams must work together and understand how their decisions impact each other.
It was great to get support from lecturers who had already worked in investment management, banking and finance, and consulting. Being able to ask practical questions meant I could get advice and insights you wouldn’t find in a textbook or a PowerPoint.
There were so many good people supporting us but special mentions must go to:
- Khawar Naveed Bhatti for setting up The KBS Challenge. It was the most useful part of my degree because I got to work with an organisation.
- Sue Tarrant for helping us understand Business Law and making sure we understand what our future legal teams should be doing.
- Epameinondas Katsikas for giving me the push to aim for higher grades in first year.
- Odafe Egere for helping us explore our entrepreneurial mindsets and helping us develop our ideas and understand what was needed for success.”
6. How does it feel graduating with First Class Honours?
“It makes me so proud. I set out to get the highest grade possible, and every assignment I did, I always asked my lecturers what was required to get a first in that assignment.”
Looking ahead
7. Which industries or roles are you keen to explore?
“I see myself being an industrialist one day, working on value creation from the natural resources that are abundant in Africa. But first, I think I’ll be working within consulting, helping companies solve the problems they’re facing, using data to make better decisions and to make processes more efficient and robust.”
8. What advice would you give to someone starting a Business and Management degree at Kent?
“Take advantage of as many extracurricular projects, challenges, activities and societies as you can. Involving yourself in these enhances the degree experience and moves you from theory to practical skills. It’s those practical experiences, which are in abundance at KBS, which will help you become career and business ready.”
Find out more about studying Business Management at the Kent Business School:
Business Management (Canterbury campus) January 2027 Entry
Business Management (Canterbury campus) September 2027 Entry
Business Management (Medway campus) September 2027 Entry