Ojara Martin Defever

With cumulative work experience of 10 years in the business sector, Martin is a marketing specialist and clearly understands the business landscape in Uganda.

His main focus is in helping young people build sustainable livelihoods, especially the urban poor. He believes that life can only be fixed if people are empowered and have decent means of making a living.  

Currently, he is the Regional Hub Manager for UpEnergy, a company that deals in sustainable cooking stoves. He has made SmartHome the most popular eco-friendly cooking stove in northern Uganda and also won many awards as best employee in the company.

Previously, he worked as Business Executive with Nation Media Group (The Daily Monitor) for 3 years (2013-2016).

He has also worked for defunct Crane Bank and UAP Insurance company. His experience covers the entire business value chain, from sales & marketing, to business strategy, insurance, banking and customer care.

Martin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (majoring in marketing) from Makerere University. He also obtained qualifications (certificates) in Data Management (Clarke University), HIV Counselling, Project Planning & Management and Computer Applications.