When Amina Hersi Moghe relocated from Bungoma to Kampala, Uganda, she did not expect that one day she would be credited with playing a part in transforming the nation's skyline years later.
From a young age, she aspired to immerse herself in the family business - selling inputs in the family hardware just like her father.
However, when her father died when she was 9, she started harbouring the vision of having bigger dreams such as becoming a household name in the real estate industry.
She, however, did not imagine that one day she would sign a deal with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to construct a high-rise building estimated at Ksh7.5 billion.
Hersi dared to venture in the real estate industry as it was directly related to the hardware business, where she had cut her teeth in line with her family's traditions.
In an interview, Amina explained that her breakthrough came in 2007 when the Ugandan government allocated her four acres of land on Yusuf Lule Road next to Garden City in Kampala.
Hersi highlighted that at the time, the defunct Kampala City Council was eager to improve infrastructure and hence was allocating plots of land to city developers.
"Naturally, I like challenges. I had conquered the cement distributorship and needed something more," she highlighted.
"So in the period leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda in 2007, the government was eager to improve infrastructure and accommodation in Kampala."
She also sought to acquire another plot of land located on Nakasero Road and hence wrote a proposal to President Museveni asking him for the land to build the 164 high-end luxury apartments namely Laburnum Courts Luxury Apartments.
The developer pointed out that Museveni agreed to meet her and was fascinated by the idea and her enthusiasm.
"He asked me whether I had the money to do what I asked and I answered yes."
Hersi pointed out that the deal was the breakthrough that opened doors for her to construct Oasis Mall at the heart of Kampala.
"I approached Corporate companies, embassies and other clients and told them I would give their employees a different service, luxurious serviced apartment units with a swimming pool, health facilities, children's playing area, business centre, restaurants and gym. I told them I would do their laundry."
She is also credited for establishing Rabo Enterprises Limited, and Kingstone Enterprises Limited buildings among others.
