Othware, founded in 2016, emerged from the need for proactive, future-focused IT solutions.

In an interview with Website Planet, Oken shared that he was frustrated by the reactive nature of many IT service providers and envisioned a company that would anticipate and address clients’ needs in areas such as cloud computing and cybersecurity. Othware’s primary mission is to deliver comprehensive managed IT services that stay ahead of the technology curve, providing businesses with robust, secure, and efficient solutions.

With a focus on innovation, Othware aims to empower organizations in Uganda and beyond, helping them navigate an ever-evolving tech landscape.

What inspired the founding of Othware and what is its primary mission?

Othware was founded in 2016, about eight years ago. What truly inspired its founding was the need for better solutions in the field of managed IT services. At the time, there were many service providers, but most of them focused on reactive solutions. We saw an opportunity to take a more proactive approach to managing IT services, including cloud computing and cybersecurity.

Our goal was to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the needs of companies, rather than simply reacting to problems as they arose. This forward-thinking approach allowed us to offer solutions that not only address current issues but also prepare our clients for the future.

At that time, most of our competitors were reactive and lagging behind in the technology space. We identified inefficiencies and challenges that many organizations were facing, and we aimed to provide a comprehensive set of services to address those. Our portfolio includes managed IT services, consulting, cloud services, cybersecurity, and software development. We also focus on areas like collaboration, integration, and process automation, particularly in software development.

In short, Othware’s primary mission is to deliver proactive IT solutions that stay ahead of the technology curve, offering clients the best value for their investment. That’s why Othware was founded and continues to grow.

How does Othware support businesses with its IT solutions and services in Uganda?

Othware offers a comprehensive range of IT solutions as a full-service IT company. These solutions are interlinked because when you deliver a service, like a cloud solution, you can’t just leave it there—there are security concerns to address, such as potential cyber threats. That’s why Othware provides a wide range of services to ensure that the entire IT ecosystem is secure and efficient.

We have a custom software development team that provides tailored solutions, and we’ve worked on several government projects. In addition to consulting for the government, we offer managed cybersecurity services, including virtual information security officers, and cloud services.

Our expertise also extends to proactive IT support through managed IT services. We cover website design, mobile app development, and other custom software solutions. We have a lot of experience and a strong team of experts to handle these areas.

In terms of cloud services, Othware is one of the first companies to set up a private cloud in Uganda. Although it’s a private cloud, we share it and are exploring ways to open it up to accommodate more users. We aim to serve businesses that need hybrid cloud infrastructure or want their servers hosted locally in Uganda, either for compliance or other reasons. In addition, we support transitions to major cloud providers like Azure and AWS while also offering our own local cloud hosting.

Finally, cybersecurity is integrated into all of our solutions, ensuring that businesses are not only equipped with the right tools but also protected from evolving threats. Othware remains at the forefront of delivering these secure and effective IT solutions.

Can you tell us more about Othware’s key offerings and what sets it apart from other IT service providers?

There are several key aspects that set Othware apart from other IT service providers. First, our local expertise combined with global standards is crucial. We provide solutions locally that meet global standards, helping businesses save significant costs. For example, working with a company in the U.S. might be more expensive, but we offer similar services at competitive rates, giving our clients great value.

What also distinguishes Othware is our customer-centric approach. Many companies are primarily focused on the transaction, but we aim to add value beyond just providing the service. We ensure our solutions genuinely benefit the customer long-term, not just for the duration of the contract. This customer-first mentality is one of our core strengths.

Additionally, innovation is at the heart of what we do. We constantly monitor global IT trends, collaborate with our partners in over eight countries, and stay ahead of industry developments. This allows us to keep improving our solutions and bring the latest technologies to our clients.

Another key aspect is our end-to-end service model. Othware is a one-stop shop for IT services, which is why we have some of the highest customer retention rates in the market. For instance, if a customer needs cloud services, we don’t just deliver that and leave. We advise on cybersecurity, help with deployment, offer training, and ensure everything is integrated and optimized to provide maximum value.

Finally, our pricing is very competitive. Despite the high level of expertise we provide, we work hard to keep costs manageable for our clients, which has made us highly attractive to a wide range of businesses. Whether they are startups, large enterprises, government institutions, or power stations, we cater to their needs and help them grow in the long term.

By focusing on all these aspects—local expertise, customer-centric service, constant innovation, end-to-end offerings, and competitive pricing—we not only meet the immediate needs of our clients but also support their long-term growth in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Can you share a success story where Othware significantly improved a client’s IT infrastructure or operations?

Yes, we have several case studies, though some details are bound by nondisclosure agreements with our clients. However, I can share one recent example. Last year, in December, we were consulting with a bank and set up a Security Operations Center (SOC) for them.

By January, they were experiencing unusual activity. After conducting an in-depth analysis of their operations within the SOC, we discovered that their system had been breached. The attacker had been inside their network for almost two months, planning to siphon a significant amount of money from the bank.

Fortunately, thanks to our Security Operations Center, we were able to detect the breach in time and prevent any major financial loss. The attackers had been waiting for the right moment to strike, but we managed to stop them, saving the bank a substantial amount of money.

The bank was extremely grateful for our work, and they even showed their appreciation with additional bonuses. This was a significant success for both the bank and our team.

How does Othware ensure the quality and reliability of its IT solutions for its clients?

We take a comprehensive approach to ensuring the quality and reliability of our IT services. It’s not just one or two practices, but a combination of best practices we’ve developed over time. These have evolved and even led us to pursue certain industry standards. For instance, we are on the verge of obtaining the ISO 27001 certification for Information Security Management Systems. This step helps us instill confidence in our customers regarding the security and reliability of our services.

In terms of software development, we don’t just conduct testing at one stage—we carry out multiple rounds of testing throughout the development process. Additionally, all our solutions are built on well-documented procedures and standardized processes. This ensures that no matter where our clients come from, they receive the same high-quality service.

Ongoing support and maintenance are key aspects of our operations as well. We don’t view our work with clients as a mere transaction. Instead, we aim to build long-term relationships, providing continuous support and value. We regularly check in with our clients to see how they’re doing with the solutions we’ve developed. If any issues arise, such as the implementation of an unsuitable solution, we have no problem overhauling it and making the necessary adjustments to ensure it fits their needs perfectly.

Client engagement and feedback are critical to us as well. From the initial meeting to the completion of the project, we gather feedback consistently. We have a dedicated customer success team that ensures our clients are receiving the support they need, and if there are any issues, we address them promptly.

Continuous improvement is another core principle at Othware. We closely follow the evolution of the tech sector and integrate the latest advancements, such as artificial intelligence, into our solutions. We also keep our clients updated on new technologies and best practices, helping them stay ahead.

In the end, it’s these practices—standardization, ongoing support, client feedback, and continuous improvement—that enable us to provide high-quality, reliable IT solutions that meet our clients’ diverse needs.

What new services or initiatives is Othware planning to introduce to enhance its service offerings?

We are currently working on several new initiatives to enhance our service offerings. One of our key projects is related to cloud services. We’re in the midst of a seven-month project involving a private cloud setup. We have a data center established here through one of our partners, where we’re co-locating and running private cloud servers. However, there’s growing demand from clients for public cloud services, especially in Uganda and neighboring countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. For example, Amazon only recently set up a region in South Africa, but many clients in this region want their data stored locally. To meet this demand, we’re planning to set up a public cloud offering in Uganda, helping businesses comply with local data privacy regulations and providing them with reliable, secure cloud services.

In addition to cloud services, we’re moving towards integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across our solutions. Governments and businesses worldwide are exploring AI, and we aim to incorporate it into our existing and future solutions. This will help clients gain deeper insights into their data, automate processes, and make more predictive decisions using machine learning.

Cybersecurity is another area we’re continuously enhancing. With evolving threats, we are always advancing our cybersecurity services, helping businesses establish security operation centers, or outsourcing those services to us. We’re also integrating AI and machine learning into cybersecurity to help predict and mitigate threats.

We’re also supporting the integration of new technologies, such as IoT and smart technologies, especially for businesses in sectors like agriculture. This allows them to adopt more innovative solutions to optimize their operations.

Furthermore, we’re focusing on training and development programs. With a significant influx of new IT graduates, we’re looking at establishing a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) center and labs to help these graduates grow their skills in areas like software development and cybersecurity. Our goal is to give them practical experience and, eventually, job opportunities.

Expanding our partnerships is another important initiative. We’re always open to working with new partners, industry leaders, and experts to build a broader ecosystem of complementary services and deliver the best IT solutions to our customers.

Lastly, we’re committed to eco-friendly IT solutions. For example, in our data center and co-location services, we’re focusing on energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint to align with green IT standards. This ensures that our solutions are not only effective but also environmentally responsible.

These are just a few of the new initiatives and services we’re working on to better serve our clients and the IT sector as a whole.

Find out more at: www.othware.co.ug