Meet Nsambya Furniture Workshop

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nsambya Furniture Workshop a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nsambya Furniture , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Being the only one in the room whether at exhibitions, corporate meetings, or negotiations has been both a challenge and a motivation. In many spaces, I found myself as the only carpenter, or the only Ugandan craftsman, sitting among people representing imported brands or bigger, more established companies. At first, it was intimidating. But over time, I learned that what sets you apart can also be your greatest strength.

I leaned on three principles:

1. Confidence in my craft. Even if I was the only one who looked like me, I knew the quality of my work spoke louder than anything else. Carrying samples, photos, and client testimonials gave me proof in the room.

2. Continuous learning. Instead of being discouraged, I used those moments to observe, ask questions, and absorb knowledge from others. It helped me refine not just my furniture, but also my business approach.

3. Authenticity. I stopped trying to “blend in.” I realized my identity as a Ugandan craftsman, using local wood and training local youth, was exactly what made my brand valuable and different.

There was one instance during a corporate pitch where everyone else was presenting imported catalogs, and I was the only one showcasing Ugandan-made furniture. At first, it felt like a disadvantage. But when clients saw the durability, custom designs, and pricing advantage, that difference turned into a win.

My advice to anyone who finds themselves as “the only one in the room” is: don’t shrink yourself.** Stand tall in your uniqueness, prepare thoroughly so your work can defend you, and remember that diversity in perspective is often what makes you valuable in the first place.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My story begins with a deep love for craftsmanship and the belief that Uganda’s talent deserves to be showcased on the biggest stages. I founded Nsambya Furniture Workshop to create furniture that isn’t just functional, but also a reflection of our culture, resilience, and creativity. What started as a small workshop has now grown into a recognized brand that serves households, institutions, and even public figures.

What excites me most about this work is that every piece of furniture we make tells a story. A dining table is not just wood and polish it’s where families gather. A sofa is not just fabric and cushioning it’s where memories are made. Knowing that we are part of people’s everyday lives gives me purpose and pride.

What makes Nsambya Furniture Workshop special is our commitment to Ugandan excellence. We use local hardwoods, train local artisans, and work hand-in-hand with partners like Mirembe Beddings & Curtains, led by my wife, Mirembe Irene Nagawa, to create full interior solutions. Together, we don’t just provide products, we transform spaces into homes.

Right now, we’re focused on expansion and innovation. We’re growing our social media presence to connect with more clients, investing in modern tools to increase efficiency without losing the handcrafted touch, and exploring opportunities to showcase Ugandan-made furniture beyond our borders. We’re also proud to be creating jobs for youth, training them in carpentry and design, so that our growth is shared with the community.

Looking ahead, clients and followers can expect:

New product lines that blend traditional Ugandan artistry with modern designs.
Partnership packages where furniture and interior décor come together under one service.
Community initiatives aimed at equipping young people with employable skills in woodworking.

At the heart of it all, Nsambya Furniture Workshop stands for quality, trust, and legacy. We want every client to know that when they choose us, they’re not only getting furniture that lasts they’re supporting a vision that celebrates Ugandan craftsmanship and builds a future for the next generation.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities have made the biggest impact on my journey with Nsambya Furniture Workshop:

1.Resilience & Patience – In business, challenges are guaranteed. From delays in sourcing materials to clients who doubt local products, I’ve faced many obstacles. What kept me going was resilience, the ability to stand firm and stay patient. Advice: don’t expect overnight success. Learn to push through setbacks and treat them as lessons rather than failures.

2.Craftsmanship & Continuous Learning – Skill in furniture making opened the door, but continuous learning kept me relevant. I studied designs, experimented with finishing techniques, and learned from feedback. Advice: *never get comfortable. Whatever your craft or profession, keep sharpening your skills and stay curious.

3.Relationship-Building & Communication – Growth came because of the people who trusted me, clients, suppliers, partners, and my team. Building strong relationships and communicating clearly made the difference. Advice: value people as much as the product. Be honest, responsive, and respectful, and your network will become your strongest asset.

For those early in their journey, my message is: focus on mastering your craft, nurture resilience, and build relationships. These three things will carry you even when resources are limited, because they form the foundation of trust, quality, and long-term success.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

In my experience, success comes from a balance of both, leaning into your strengths while being aware of and improving your weaknesses.

Our strengths at Nsambya Furniture Workshop have always been craftsmanship and creativity.** From the start, we went all in on those. Clients came to us because they trusted the quality of our joinery, finishing, and designs. That strength gave us confidence and helped us build our reputation.

But as we grew, I realized that focusing only on what we were good at wasn’t enough. For example, I was very strong in furniture making but less experienced in areas like marketing, branding, and customer engagement. If I had ignored those gaps, we would have stayed a small workshop, hidden in the neighborhood. That’s why partnering with my wife, Mirembe Irene Nagawa of Mirembe Beddings & Curtains**, was a turning point. She brought strengths in interior décor, customer relations, and presentation that complemented mine. Together, we created a fuller experience for clients.

One specific story that taught me this lesson was when we bid for a large institutional contract. Our furniture design was outstanding, but the proposal and presentation were not at the same level. We lost that deal. It was painful, but it showed me the importance of building up weaker areas like proposal writing and formal communication. Since then, we’ve invested time in developing those skills and today, we compete much more effectively in professional spaces.

So my advice is: go deep in your strengths because that’s what makes you unique, but don’t ignore your weaknesses, especially if they block your growth. You don’t have to master everything yourself, sometimes the smartest move is to partner with or learn from someone whose strengths balance out your weaknesses.

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Image Credits

Ssegujja Ivan

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