Men are soccer animals. It’s quite unheard of to come across a man that outright refuses the lure of football. Within the walls of Makerere university, a certain craze is spreading like a February wild fire. On weekends, the sight of a branded jersey isn’t exactly strange. I walk a few steps and a lady in a Chelsea jersey passes by printed behind her jersey is a name and jersey number. Another fellow passes by with similar printings on his shirt, I walk up to him and politely ask; “Who branded that jersey for you?” He smiles proudly and says, “There’s a young fellow in Nkrumah, his name is Anthony.( Martial?) No, Anthony Lucky, a second year information technology student at Makerere university.
Armed with that name, I begin my search of this young man that’s painting University with his authentic jersey branding. He is quite a household name, a few questions lead me to White House, an extension of Nkrumah boys hall. I knock at RM B;80. I find a pack of boys, I greet them and ask for Lucky. A lean dark haired boy with a rather childish face coyly comes. He isn’t the most confident fellow. A certain aura of worry leaves his eyes and rests within in his throat. It’s evident when he speaks. I tell him I need to have my jersey branded. He relaxes and makes an inquiry of the details I want on the jersey. It’s a scarlet red jersey. “Premier league font, I ask? Working within the walls of his room. He says little.
His loud friends seem to find him an easy target for jokes, he smiles and works on. “I realised I had this aesthetic talent within these feeble hands way back. When I was little only I, in a class of about 90 kids could perfectly draw a 3 dimension figure.” I started working with tees in form 5, in St. Mary’s Kitende, where I thought I might make a few branded shirts for me. Surprisingly, pips liked my creation.
Any challenges
The cool as cucumber Lucky laments about coping with the quality demands of the market as his biggest challenge. He says bigger tee- shirt companies with established reputations produced quality. Something he had to live by.
His initial start up capital was a meagre 200,000ugshs. On how he handles the academic challenges. He had this to say, “I’m a student, books are the reason I’m here. I prioritise books over work any day. Ironically he adds he doesn’t see himself doing anything in line with what he’s studying.
The rather ambitious Lucky owns a workshop in Makindye where he does bulk work. Quicker deals are executed in the comfort of his room. He adds that his biggest offer came from Simeo Nsubuga, MP aspirant Kassada South, whose order required his face branded upon 400 pieces of yellow tees.
Makes a killing?
On average he states he makes a cool 1.5M every month. He says one of his best selling creation is the branded tee; “I’m a Mukiga, keep left.” The second born of two has big prospects. He narrates how supportive his parents and classmates have been and looks to procuring machines that will bolster his work.
His WhatsApp status reads “I knew I’d be great.” I hold no doubts when I see his works, it spells greatness.
When I ask for his final word; this is what he has to say: “I love fine art, I appeal to all passionate artists to brave on, the fruition of art is appealing.”
Lucky Anthony is born again and is off the shelf… he is seeing someone whose name he refuses to mention. His tees are surprisingly affordable and so is name branding. He is reachable on 0705691565 and WhatsApp him on +256 792 080581. He is Lucky Anthony on Facebook.
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