Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) has expansively transformed the role of each player in the value-creation process on the tourism and hospitality market. Available Evidence describes that an effective application of information technology has turned out to be very critical for the attractiveness and prosperity of tourism enterprises, since it has persuaded the ability to differentiate their offerings. ICTs seem to offer new chances in terms of gaining competitive advantage, improving productivity, emerging new industries and enabling new ways of management to deal with the challenges of the 21st century (Gruescu et al., 2009). ICTs empower users to recognize, modify and purchase tourism products and support the globalization of businesses by providing tools for increasing, managing and allotting offerings global. Progressively, ICTs play a principal role for the competitiveness of tourism groups and destinations (Coopers and Fletchair, 2005)

ICT practice supports well-organized working of enterprises, since it speeds up management processes and promotes both efficiency and quality of economic procedures and actions performed by an enterprise. The introduction of modern information technologies permits for taking better benefit of the assets at the disposal of a hotel enterprise, however their fast improvement imposes the need for rearranging enterprises to adopt to current challenges of Covid -19. The main benefit of ICT is establishing more effective connections between diverse processes and supply chain links by offering easy access, in real time, to data processed in the particular chain components (Porter, 2001). The ICT-based competitive advantages may be accomplished by tourism and hospitality enterprises through distinctive internet marketing campaigns, continuing effective communication with several organizational stakeholders and in a number of other methods (Michalic, 2015).

The development of Internet technologies, with their universal accessibility and interactive nature, has altered consumer behaviors and attitudes to obsolete models of tourism and hospitality services. The way in which tourism and travel products are distributed has changed due to the Internet in particular, and other ICT applications (Werthner and Klein, 1999, Liu, 2012). This adoption of ecommerce with its application to the tourism industry has been termed ‘eTourism’ and has resulted in a shift from existing supply chain models The etourism theory comprises all business functions like e-commerce, e-marketing, e-finance and e-accounting, eHRM, e-procurement, e-production as well as e-strategy, e-planning and e-management for all sectors of the tourism industry, including tourism, travel, transport, leisure, hospitality, principals, intermediaries and public sector organizations. Therefore, e-tourism bundles together three unique disciplines: business management, information systems and management, and tourism (Mupfiga, 2015). In general, the expansion of the use of information and communication technologies in the tourism industry has generated a more competitive environment, and they have become a crucial component of trade development (Berne et al., 2015). Through sokoni- links marketing platforms, tourism industry players can benefit from internet marketing campaigns, they can Improve productivity, ensure continuous communication with customers and gain sustainable competitive advantage.

P.o. Box 955 Mukono, Seeta, Namiliyango Rd, or call

+256772426451

+256787559952

+2560772478238

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., website: www.sokoni-links.com and Blog: www.sokoni-links.com/index.php/blog

References

1) Berné, C., García-González, M., García-Ucedac, M.E. & Múgica, J.M. (2015). The effect of ICT on relationship enhancement and performance in tourism channels. Tourism Management, 48 (June), 188–198.

2) Coopers, C., Fletchair, J. (2005). Tourism Principles and Practices. Pearson, UK.

3) Gruescu, R., Nanu, R., and Pirvu, G. (2009). Information and Communications Technology and Internet Adoption Tourism. Bulletin UASVM Horticulture, 66(2), 407-413.

4) Michalić, T., Praničević, D.G., Arnerić, J. (2015). The Changing Role of ICT Competitiveness: the case of the Slovenian hotel sector. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 28(1), 367-383.

5) Mupfiga, 2015). Adoption of ICT in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector in Zimbabwe. The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES), 4(12), 72-78.

6) Porter, M.E. (2001). Strategy and the Internet, Harvard Business Review, March.

7) Werthner, H. and Klein, S. (1999). Information Technology and Tourism - A Challenging Relationship. New York: Springer.

This week we celebrated our first Anniversary with over 101,000 Viewers since we kickoff on the 25..05.2020. During the initial months of the pandemic, business reports disclosed that digital media use immensely increased as people spent more time at home because of the corona virus lockdowns. Governments and public health institutions across the world set social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. With reduced opportunities to spend time together in person came new challenges to remain socially connected as well as obtain goods and services Emerged. While specific restrictions varied between countries, government policies to handle the coronavirus outbreak involved closing schools, non-essential services, businesses, public spaces and transportation were limited, as well as social gatherings.

Under these difficult and abrupt circumstances, public interaction drastically decreased. Given people’s widespread reliance on information and communications technologies (ICT) for social interaction under such stay-at-home circumstances, they needed to purchase goods and services but shops were closed, that’s where the idea of linking businesses to customers begun, by march 2020 management started developing ideas of how to bring the idea into fruition, united-biz link a pilot program was established and we started listing businesses while developing the website as well as understanding the dynamics of the business environment.

By May 2020 procedures for registering united biz link started but the name according to Uganda Registrations Service Bureau, management was then tasked to look for another name, several names were put forward but none of them stood out like sokoni-links limited. On May 25^th 2020 sokoni-links limited was registered and incorporated under section 18(3) of the companies Act 2012 as a legitimate business and started operations while following the S.O.Ps set by government.

The name resonated well with our services and vision for the business, the name Sokoni is a Kiswahili word which means “The Market Place”, we aim at promoting Business relationships across East Africa. it’s basically where east Africans can converge online and exchange goods and services.

“Sokoni-Links has accelerated the digitization of customer and supply-chain interactions and internal operations for a year now, sokoni-links limited was born to allow companies share their digitally enabled products and services. Businesses have developed solutions to meet many of the new demands much more quickly than they thought possible before the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 crisis has brought about years of change in the way companies in all sectors and regions are doing business and these changes are destined to be long lasting”.  Beatrice Hofmann

This statement clearly underpins the need for Businesses to establish strategic measures to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Today Funding for digital initiatives has amplified more than anything else. Managers now recognize the strategic importance of technology as a critical component of the business they run, many have successfully executed responses to the crisis while other are still sleeping and leaving gaps in the market place well knowing that the speed in experimenting and innovating has increased More than ever.

“During the pandemic, consumers have moved dramatically toward online channels. The rapid shift toward interacting with customers through digital channels increased after restrictions started worldwide. the crisis spurred shifts in many supply chains and created challenges for businesses that needed to work and interact with their customers remotely. Today many companies have made investments in data security and accelerated migration to digitization. Now that the investments have been made, these companies who have embraced digital technology have permanently removed some of the bottlenecks to virtual interactions”. Obwoya Herbert

The notion of a tipping point for technology adoption or digital disruption isn’t new, the COVID-19 crisis has been a tipping point of historic proportions and more changes will be required as economic and human situation evolve. Tactical learning is needed in the process of making specific changes to businesses in areas such as technologies to execute, and how to manage change at a pace that far exceeds that of previous experiences. Sokoni-links limited provides a platform to accelerate that change.

Written by:

Oula David

Today Sokoni-links limited celebrates its first year anniversary by giving any unlisted business on our platform an opportunity to get an exclusive article of their business, a full interview aired on our video platforms, and 3 months’ free subscription on all sokoni links platforms. All users need is Digital Technology Equipment like Smart phones, Tablets, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and computers to follow through these procedures.

1. Like our social media pages(www.Facebook.com/sokoni-Links Ltd
2. Visit sokoni-links.com and review any product/s in any category of business
3. Send a pictures or videos describing your business to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sokoni-limited Management Team

M/S Beatrice Hofmann

Mr. Draku Gayo William  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +2560772478238

Mr. Obwoya Herbert 

+256772426451

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Mr. Oula David 

+256787559952, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

In Uganda today, the Propagation of smart Devices and the readily available access to Internet Services has reinforced steady migration to digitization. People of all facets of life are finding growing need to possess a smart phone or a computer to get connected to the global network of communication and information.

Using digital marketing channels has benefits for both the customer and the business, it increases value, economic utility and customer satisfaction. Consumers can reduce their purchasing costs, find inaccessible products, services as well as increase their shopping convenience while obtaining enhanced utility especially through time and place.

Value addition provided by using digital marketing platforms is in form of information and utility which has an effect on Consumer Behavior, Price, Profit, loyalty, satisfaction, repurchase behavior and other strategic decisions of the business. The stakes are high for businesses because their existence let alone their survival and profitability will inevitably depend on how they maximize their online presence and utilize Online Service Platforms for purposes of increasing sales and profitability.

Joining The E- marketing boom will help any brand create solid online presence, these new trends are inevitable. For this reason, every business is rushing there without a clear understanding of what digital marketing platforms offer their brands or businesses, the scope of digital marketing channels and how best their businesses can utilize these channels because each invariably targets different customers and offers different benefits. Sites like sokoni-links.com offers customers additional benefits, instead of conducting expensive traditional customer research there are avenues for businesses to quickly view customer response rates and measure the success of their marketing campaign in real-time.

sokoni-links bridges the gap that restricts connection between the buyer and the seller who must at all times create avenues to inform the buyer or potential buyer about their offerings. Online visibility becomes a very important element and should be embedded in all corporate governance structures of companies, and they need to embrace this new wave whole heartedly.

Sokoni-Links Management

For more information about our services please contact

+256772426451

+256787559952

+256772478238

website: www.sokoni-links.com

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Seeta united FC sealed a kit sponsorship deal with shire petroleum company ltd. The deal includes provision of full home and away kits training bibs, balls and medical kit. The deal is for one season and may be renewed upon satisfaction of the sponsors. The ceremony was led by Ambrose Akong the sales and marketing manager shire petroleum company limited, David Mutono the club chairman and Jackie Mbabazi the clubs finance manager. The club is totally committed to fulfilling the conditions of the sponsorship agreement including use of the shire brand as official kit sponsor, branding at all club official events such as matches, player unveiling and sponsor logo will appear on club communications, materials, social media platforms, websites among others.

The club has existed since 1972 and has been largely supported by the community and the church. The club is currently at 3^rd division level and actively participates in the Buganda regional league. its current home ground is Misindye church of Uganda sports ground. The generous assistance from sponsors and well-wishers will boast the club’s capacity to win more trophies and elevate to greatness to supplement support from sponsors and achieve our vision, the club is looking for a new coach to manage our talented and skilled players. Seeta united is very grateful for the assistance provided by shire petroleum. The club appreciates all media houses that covered the event that was held at shire petrol station Seeta on 4^th November 2020.

SEETA UNITED FC PROFILE

Official Name: Seeta United Football Club.

Established: 1972.

Club Model: Community Club.

League: FUFA 3rd Division.

Region: Buganda Region.

Physical Location: Seeta Town.

Current Home Ground: Misindye C.O.U Sports Ground.

Written by Kivumbi Mahadi Yusufu
HEAD COMMUNICATIONS.

Beatrice is an Author and public Speaker; she Co-Authored the “perfect migrant”, “how to be your own boss” and now Her new Autobiography “Drudgeries for Feat” which means toil for success. This book is about her difficult trajectory to self-discovery and success. the book is published by diverse cultures publishers (UK) the company run by Amina Chitembo. she gives black authors the opportunity to tell their stories their own way. she is in the final stages of completing her PhD and her research focuses on highly skilled and qualified migrant women and their inclusion in leadership and entrepreneurship, her experience and knowledge on issues affecting migrants is diverse and makes her company ideal in putting Beatrice’s story to print.

It`s black history month this October. For countless generations Africans have shaped the history of many countries making huge differences to cultural life in these countries. throughout this month we remember icons like Martin Luther king, Maya Angelo, Alice Ball, Harriet Tubman, Margaret Busby the first black British female book publisher and many more. Beatrice represents black excellence in German because she is black and portrays great qualities and abilities that make the black community proud ,her efforts to help immigrants assimilate started with volunteering for NGOs whose objectives were to help migrants assimilate in their respective communities , her bold resignation from some of these volunteer jobs was because some NGOs put selfish personal financial interests ahead of the interests of  migrants which she detested openly.

Migration has become a central narrative in international news and politics. Whether it is African migrants risking death to cross the Mediterranean on a little more than inflatable rafts or rickety boats or Syrian refugees fleeing bombs, migration makes front page news. Migration, like most social phenomena, does not happen in a vacuum. “There are reasons why people decide, or are forced to flee their homes. Understanding and writing about the realities that precede migration is necessary, not only to understand migrations, but also to generate empathy for migrants and refugees because It is easy to look at immigrants with contempt when you don’t know them and don’t know their stories”. Many Stories from migrants involving razor-edged episodes of discrimination and inequality are the ties that bind many migrants. Her Story will take you on a journey that inspires you to learn more about migrants’ challenges and how to leverage on opportunities in a foreign country. her book reflects social values in a culture that doesn’t motivate migrants in their pursuit of a meaningful life.

In this book Beatrice pours out intense memories of difficult circumstances she went through as an immigrant in German and shows how she rose through the ranks in the complex matrix system to become her own boss. Like all budding entrepreneurs She read situations very clearly and shaped both herself and the situations to her advantage. Having the flexibility to adjust ethics to fit the situation by emphasizing purpose over principle was key in determining her path to success by allowing situations to dictate her actions while focusing on creativity to maintain credibility.

Beatrice decided to tell her story to satisfy peoples curiosities and teach important lessons about life in the diaspora. No matter who you are or where you come from, the human spirit needs to be validated, her story means so much in every sense of culture and ethnicity, no matter how migrants got to their host countries their experiences  are planted in stories and shared lived experiences and migrants need to seek out those stories that shed light on who they are in our host countries. Her story and path to success is one of resilience, determination, hard work as well as maximizing opportunities that presented themselves in a system that indiscriminately treats migrants like second hand citizens. “I recognized the importance of being first, fast and right, striving to seize and take full advantage of opportunities is why I was among the first black women to enter the wellness and beauty therapy industry in Germany”.

Beatrice points out the reasons why African migrants don’t cooperate and then fail to assimilate within their communities. Without interaction, migrants may end up living ‘parallel lives’ with very limited relationships in the wider community. In the absence of actual interaction with others, prejudice and inaccurate stereotypes are more likely to shape attitudes about others. As well as undermine social interconnection, this can undermine migrants’ opportunities to turn any rights of social and economic equality into realities. Because different dimensions of equality (e.g. getting a job, gaining citizenship, developing social relationships and networks) are often inter-related, this can seriously undermine migrants’ empowerment and potential for greater integration.

Immigrants are always a marginalized ethnic minority in any country. For migrants to escape insecurity, adversities and harsh conditions, entrepreneurship becomes the last resort for them to survive. Many migrants have become   successful entrepreneurs in America, United Kingdom, France, Germany and several countries across the globe. Beatrice  shows us in this book that for migrants especially women the road to success is much tougher because of there are many obstacles that stand in their way to achieving their mission, for Beatrice she was not only a black woman but a mother too ,all these circumstances were against her but she triumphed because for her failure was no option, her desire to become independent and autonomous was a matter of life and death she either had to break free from toxic work environments that exploited, discriminated and underpaid her or become self-employed. She made bold decisions to quit many work places and this in a way triggered her desire to start up her own business. “I continually adjusted ends, means, values, and circumstances with awareness of each impact. All four of these decision dimensions are variables and partial determinants of each other. It's this fluid view of these variables that provided me with the flexibility to determine the ends, forge the means, shape circumstances, and understand their value limits”. 

Beatrice Hofmann is director and co-founder Sokoni links limited a directory and advertising platform for promoting Business relationships across East Africa. she runs the company together with other co-founders Herbert Obwoya, Oula David and William Draku. The services provided by Sokoni-links are undisputed; the company doesn’t only list featured Businesses and present avenues for Direct Contact with prospective customers but also provides affordable Advertising Strategies for Companies to explicitly and responsively present Images, Videos and any form of communication they want to share with their customers. it’s an extremely effective mode of communication between businesses and customers.

She is a strong black gifted woman with a wealth of knowledge and experience in her profession of wellness and holistic therapy. Her drive to acquire education and training in her field of wellness and therapy and master the German language amidst rejection from family and overcome several other obstacles is what one can only describe as commendable. Her love for education and self-development could be the reason She Co-founded the Free University in the City of Oberhausen. Her journey is concrete proof that migrants can build successful lives in foreign countries if they have purpose and direction.  Migrants will find this book empowering and rewarding, it will guide them through with a broad spectrum of valuable tips and lessons that teach everyone that success aboard comes from a combination of several factors that you will all find in this book. Enjoy the book and recommend it to others.

 Buy as a Christmas present

 Written By Oula David

Atim Grace is a strong woman, she has tried all sorts of businesses including Cab driving to try to sustain her life and that of her family. After several failed business attempts, Grace decided to take a chance and venture into the honey business In January 2020. The drive to get started came from an overwhelming desire to do something that would sustain her livelihood. Fueled by passion and commitment Grace poured everything she had into starting Jebrac limited a business that sells 100% pure natural honey.

All she had to do to start the business was get capital and identify a harvester to supply her with honey in bulk. Using Y-save multi-purpose cooperative- a savings group run by Watoto church in Uganda to help cell members grow, she quickly withdrew one million shillings, established her business premises at Nsambya Ggaba Road near American embassy and started her business. By the end of January, she had identified a reliable harvester and started buying honey in bulk, repackaging it and selling it in smaller quantities.

She said she went into the honey business because of her passion and the need to solve a recurrent problem “I realized that many people have honey but they mix a lot of things, so instead of me sitting down and complaining about fake honey in the market, I said I should do something. I saw were there was a need and decided to meet it”, “Again there is readily available market for honey because of the health benefits” she said. Honey is not only food but medicine, Honey is rich in vitamin B6, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and zinc. Honey relieves a host of health problems like Insomnia, Indigestion, Coughs, Colds, Headaches, Fatigue, Anemias Acne, Ringworms, Eczema and many others.

Many people are well aware of the benefits of honey this made it abit easy for Grace to start growing her business because there was market for her honey but after Two months of operating   her honey business successfully, everything went to a standstill because of lockdown restrictions imposed by the government by the end of march. The corona virus outbreak started killing hundreds of people in several countries and governments started instituting measures to curb the spread of the virus. The emergence of COVID-19 affected her business. Like millions across the globe Grace was forced to close her business.  She like many other businesses in Uganda endured the consequences of covid-19 for nearly 5 months, she didn’t give up, she knew that selling honey was the business she was destined to do. “it had worked when I started in January, it had worked before and I knew it would work now, that’s why I decided to settle in for honey so I again started looking for a suppler after government started easing, lockdown restrictions”. The government of Uganda started easing some of its lockdown restrictions in late July at that point saloons, several business arcades were allowed to open, Boda Boda cyclists as well as public and private vehicles were allowed to operate. Government had realized that they could not lockdown businesses forever despite the fact that the virus was still spreading in the country. at that time the country had 1,072 COVID-19 cases and 958 of the patients had recovered and there was no death.

Transport helps in the movement of labor and other costs of production, after government eased restrictions on transport grace started looking for a harvester and continue the business she loved.

“After restrictions were eased, we resumed and I again started looking for suppliers, of course we tried to look for harvesters but they were not readily available so we found a suppler who obtained honey from genuine harvesters and they started supplying us in August”

This global pandemic changed people’s lives triggering what has now been termed the new normal which compels citizens to wash hands, social distance, wear masks, sanitize as well as follow SOPs established by governments. These SOPs are now choruses echoed loud on speakers of radios, televisions and computers across the globe. Despite the slow return to normal, businesses are facing increased costs of production associated with expenditures spent on following SOPs and high transport costs.

“Our supplier was from Arua but Arua honey is out of season, so the harvesters cross to DR Congo buy honey and then bring it to Arua then they supply us. Of Course, the price increases because of distance” The more the channels of distribution in business, the higher the final price paid by customer because each market intermediary wants a slice of profits from the business. Grace used to buy a 20-liter jerrycan at between 130,000 to 150,000 shillings and spend a total of 60,000 shillings on transport but now because of the impact of covid-19  on transport the costs have doubled “a 20-liter jerrycan of honey costs between 250,000 to 300,000 shillings. Transport is now 120,000”. Despite the fact that price of honey doubled, grace sells approximately 10 liters of honey a week.

Grace sells each liter of well packaged honey at 25,000 shillings.  “We package our honey in one-liter containers that we get from Mukwano and print our labels on paper and stick them on the bottles, its more costly but you have to build a brand and every business has the responsibility to do so”. She intends to start packaging her products in containers of 200grams,250 grams ad 300 grams, she plans to get these packaging materials from kikuubo a place in kampala where one can find all types of plastic containers.

Like any other business Grace faced a few challenges. “At the beginning people don’t trust your honey, you have to convince them that you only sell pure natural honey, they ask for samples even when they see the specifics on the advert they don’t believe because they are used to unscrupulous dealers who adulterate their honey.” Additionally, she said, “customers want to buy the honey cheaply, yet you have invested in a lot, they want more and they what it at a low cost”. Besides those challenges Grace has had several successes. One of the key factors for Graces’ success is that she doesn’t compromise the quality of her honey with additional substances, “I sell 100% natural pure honey and customers demand it because of its benefits. Honey is medicine, that’s why I have attracted many customers from different parts of kampala, wakiso and Entebbe.”

It’s well documented that for any business to succeed quality must be at the forefront of all activities. Quality is what attracts or repels customer to and from a product. “My customers trust the quality of my products. they always make repeat purchases and they usually make referrals. “I focus on integrity, honesty and producing something genuine, if I promise I should deliver, I also make sure I never run out of honey, it should always be available for people so that there are no excuses, customers should get it when they need it.” Grace makes deliveries for free within kampala “if clients are far like Entebbe or mukono we might have to share the transport costs”. She said “free deliveries affect the business a little because it enters into the profit margin, but I can endure that for now”

To improve on the speed of deliveries, Grace wants to purchase a scooter that will help her navigate and maneuver through the jam-packed streets of kampala. Grace utilizes ICT platforms for selling her honey directly to customers and makes deliveries on call like many other businesses trying to resurrect and survive under new circumstances imposed on us by the corona virus.  Maximizing online platform to market products is now inevitable for many businesses. “ Although I make most of my sales at my business premises, one must utilize ICT platforms, I think  business will survive using ICT platforms especially now in this covid-19 era, that’s why am on all social media platforms like WhatsApp, facebook, twitter and LinkedIn as well as more business oriented platforms like Sokoni-links which directly links buyers and sellers. “on a scale of 100, I give ICT usage 80% because it works for us, people see the products and the advert and then they call”

Sokoni links helps market Grace`s business because customers can see images and videos of her honey, directly share or print her business page, Grace gets  reviews and feedback from customers who directly contact businesses through hyperlinked Emails and Phone numbers, they can easily locate her business because Maps on the site provides directions.

Business need to have direction set by vision and mission statements. we asked about her vision ,what she saw Jebrac limited in the next five years “In the next five years if it were possible I want to have a bee farm, I don’t know how but that’s the level I should get to instead of getting honey from Congo somebody needs to do something, we have a lot of land, climate is favorable for anything to thrive.” Instead of being a small retailer in a shop, I hope to be a large-scale producer of honey someday”

currently she is building trust among her customers because she sees them as a valuable part of her business success “People should just trust us, especially us who are new in this business, we want to erase those negative opinions about honey caused by dishonest sellers, that’s why we are here” she said as we ended the 16 minutes phone interview. The management of Sokoni links limited congratulates and wishes Grace Atim success in all her endeavors business or other wise and will continue supporting her business using our Sokoni links marketing platforms.

MANAGEMENT

P.o. Box 955 Mukono, Seeta, Namiliyango Rd, Phone: +256772426451, +491788362947, +256787559952, +256772478238, website: sokoni-links.com, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Blog:

Each of our rooms has its own characteristics and personality which differentiates us from any competition around Kireka, Bweyogerere and its surrounding areas because we give our guests a unique experience every time, they visit our hotel.

We offer excellent value for money and our customers always enjoy their holidays, they trust our services and always recommend us to family and friends. Service Excellence for our customers is critical to the successful Management of our hotel and our guests always feel privileged.

For Ugandans seeking excellent leisure and hospitality services and for foreigners visiting the country for business or leisure, It starts and finishes with Kadz hotel. visit us on Plot 1277 Kireka-Namugongo Road, P.o. Box 29876 Kampala, Uganda. or call our leading team industry professionals to discuss reservations and bookings on +256772463242 /+256754982850/+256780299803.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Like/Find Us/Follow us on Facebook at Kadz Hotel.

Also View our services on www.sokoni-links.com/index.php/kadz hotel

The covid 19 global pandemic has changed how the world operates, demonstrating limitations of many existing systems and highlighting the need to re-image the role of information technology as a pedal for economic productivity and growth. This week Sokoni-links features Claraz Bags Store - a business that is utilizing online platforms to create more opportunities for selling products and interacting with customers. We interviewed Miss Ogwang Fiona Clara the owner of Clara Z Bags, a single hard-working woman who loves fashion and loves quality bags. That combination of traits together with her Personal Entrepreneurial Skills gave birth to Clara Z Bags store in May 2019. She decided to specialize in selling of quality high-end Bags on Retail, Wholesale and Online.

When you walk into Clara Z Bags store at Nana Center in Kampala you will find all types of bags for Ladies and Gents in Different Labels and Brands including prominent, Original and Classy brands like Louis Vuitton, Susen, Christian Dior, Zara. You will see bags in different, shapes, Sizes, Texture and color to cater for everybody’s Taste and preferences, Needs, Convenience, Occasions and Everyday Work Life. “Claraz bag store is a one stop Centre for quality bags in Uganda. If you need any type of bag, I mean any type of bag, you will find it here” she said. “Customers can order for Handbags, Clutches ,Backpacks, Tote Bags, Makeup Bags, Beach Bags, Pouch Bags, Satchel Bags, Shoulder Bags, Barrel Bags, Baguette Bags, Fanny Packs, Drawstring Bags, Saddle Bags, Duffle Bags, Hobo Bags, Miniaudiere Bags, Wristle Bags, Bowler Bags, Laptop Bags and the list is endless”.

Clara mostly sells these bags online and believes that using the internet to market, sell and transact is crucial for businesses to survive and thrive; she is well aware that the internet presents a fast-growing marketplace where businesses can directly connect and sell goods and services to customers. “I get 70% of my customers online, most people now see your products and order them online, they just give you a call and then you deliver the products” She said. Using online platforms is effective and has helped Claraz Business reach new markets, serve customers better. “I distribute my bags faster, solve customers’ problems quickly and communicate more efficiently with my business partners within and outside the country” she added.

Clara uses an online marketing approach to promote and sell her quality bags, she clearly understands that expanding online presence using various platforms is a key marketing strategy for her business especially now during this Covid Era. Claraz bags is on Face book, Twitter Instagram and the new fast-growing platforms like Sokoni links. “I use social media mainly to communicate and interact with my customers, it’s important for us to be on these platforms. Being on all these platforms is vital for any business because Each of these them offers unique advantages brands can use to reach different markets” she said.

The right Digital marketing channel for your brand or business largely depends on your brand’s business goals. If your goal is to generate leads for your business and you’re a Business to Business (B2B) or Business to Customer (B2C) brand, then it makes more sense to use platforms like Sokoni-links that are business centric and have features that help businesses generate leads and sell a product.

When you order a bag from Claraz bags, Purchasing can be completed from the consumer's home, office or any other location at the request of the customer who pays using any method of payment. “I utilize multiple payment platforms like Pay Pal, Western Union, world remit and Ding for foreign clients and cash or mobile money for local customers” she said. “I only use secure ordering and payment systems and Customers get assurance that their orders will be delivered immediately”. Mobile money technology has helped reduce the need for physical cash transactions thereby minimizing the spread of the corona virus.

Despite the outbreak of covid 19, Clara continues to make deliveries following the SOPs established by government. Clara has made deliveries across the country and expanded outside Uganda. Her expansion in market coverage is due to using information technology “I have delivered bags to many customers in Nairobi and Kigali using DHL courier services or buses to transport the client’s bags, the client usually gives us specific Transport companies that they trust”. “With ICT Applications, every business has access to thousands and sometimes hundreds of thousands of consumers”. She said.

With digital innovations, Customers are treated as one market. Clara accesses information without geographical location restrictions and has the opportunity of delivering messages enhanced by pictures, sound and Video for potential customers to see what a business is offering, the interactive nature of the internet offers customer support and promotional activities to a better degree than traditional media. “Using the internet has helped me ease two-way interactions with my agents and distributors of quality bags within and outside Uganda”. She said. Clara used to import most of her bags by placing orders from companies abroad but because of covid-19 and high taxes imposed by government departments she was forced to get them locally, “I used to import the bags because it was cheaper but URA taxes went up and it was very expensive to import so I decided to get them from agents and affiliates of bag companies in Uganda”

Clara puts quality and brand at the forefront when selecting an agent or distributor “my customers only get quality bags that’s why I need trusted suppliers whose products will satisfy my customer’s needs”. Clara values her customers “customer is king” she said “they are the life blood of any organization, so we are here to serve them not the other way around” she added .Despite her good customer care and relationship management, she faced limited challenges with a few customers “at times customers may place an  order for a bag then say it’s too small or too big but they still like it”, like an entrepreneur quick to react to business problems she decided to include the size of the bags on her catalogue as well as introduce terms and conditions that require 50% down payment before they take delivery of the bags to any location across  the East African region.

Advertising online has helped Clara z business grow. “These days almost everybody especially those in urban areas who are my target market have access to the internet” The readily available internet services with descent speed and the proliferation of smart phones in Africa has laid fertile ground for the fast growth of E-marketing activities. Covid-19 disturbances has distorted the ways in which communities, businesses and individuals operate, communicate and transfer information. post-pandemic organizations, businesses and individuals that hope to take advantage of internet marketing opportunities need to rethink and create a strategic approach to leveraging technology and digitalization. Businesses like claraz bags have already repositioned themselves using technology as a critical component of each domain of specialization and will continue to ensure continuity and build resilience to future crises.

Clara finally gave words of encouragement to people and businesses facing challenges especially during this Covid-19 period. “Even if you are going through a hard time, you shouldn’t give up, even if there is corona or not, people should keep pushing, when things get tough you also get tough. we may have to live with Covid-19, it may never leave us and so people should do their best and then leave the rest to God” she said as we wrapped the15 minutes interview.

The management of Sokoni-links wishes miss Ogwang Clara Fiona success in all her business and personal endeavors and will continue to support her business in expanding clara z bags online visibility. You can like and Follow Clara

z bag store on Social Media platforms, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram at “clara z bag store” and check out her full business profile, pictures and videos on http://www.soko-links.com/index.php/clara-z-bag-store  ,Call +256773667732 or Email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about her bags.

Written by

Beatrice Hofmann

Obwoya Hebert

Oula David

Contact us on

www.sokoni-links.com

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www.Facebook.com/sokoni-Links  Ltd/1030771428670

It’s exactly 3 months since Sokoni-links ltd started. The company was registered and incorporated on 25th May 2020 following The Uganda registration service Bureaus(URSB) transition of company registration services to online processes. Three month later the company now has over 127 Small, Medium and Large Businesses and Organizations across East Africa are listed on our business directory and Marketing platform, with hundreds of leads across the east African region, our business is an ongoing concern destinated to grow and stay relevant. We have been able to generate huge traffic and viewership on our site as for today exceeds 24,467 plus. we have thousands of followers on our social media platforms viewing products and services offered by businesses and organizations featured on our site. This progress is amidst the chaos caused by the corona virus endemic

Achieving such progress in such a short period of time is largely attributed to the hard work, dedication and commitment of our management  team in Uganda and Germany as well as our marketing executives for  whole heartedly promoting our services to clients who are receptive and see the benefits of using our E-marketing  platform to sell their products and services as well as connect directly with customers especially in this covid-19 period.

Our growth projections at the beginning of this exciting journey was very low, because we didn’t have benchmarks or measurements for determining growth and the government had banned private and public transport as a means of containing the spread of COVID-19 so it was difficult to deploy our well defined sales team and effect our marketing strategy. When public transport finally opened last month, we were able to employ marketing executives whose efforts have contributed to our current growth.

it’s clear that businesses and organizations are ready to adapt to the new normal which is being driven by technology. our unique service line is unmatched and this gives us sustainable competitive advantage since our site presents enormous possibilities for creating new service lines. For example, our recent new inventiveness allows any organization to post job adverts directly on our site. It’s cheaper and more effective for organizations to source out applicants using sokoni-links.com rather than any other medium especially during this covid-19 period when news and information is being accessed using smartphone devices

subsequently, Sokoni links offers Digital marketing avenues which is the fastest e-Commerce solution available for businesses. Individuals can buy or sell anything very fast using our marketing strategy. Businesses can reach out to a maximum audience or customers with the help of our digital marketing avenues. Digital marketing is infinitely more affordable than traditional offline marketing methods. Sokoni-links conducts your marketing digitally with ease and customers can provide instant feedback. Rather than conducting expensive customer research, businesses can quickly view customer response rates and measure the success of their marketing campaign in real-time, enabling them to plan more effectively

It is this boom in E- marketing that demands the need for any brand to create a solid online presence and project an image using platforms like Sokoni-links. For this reason, it is important to understand not just what our digital marketing platform can offer your brand or business but also the scope of our digital marketing channels and how best your business can utilize these channels. Join us in a market place that facilitates (B2B, B2C) exchanges of goods and services provided by all categories of businesses and organizations. For more information about our services contact +256772426451

+256787559952

+491788362947

+256772478238,

website: sokoni-links.co

 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Written by

Oula David with Beatrice Hofmann and Obwoya Herbert