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Uganda
“If you
interact with people, you can win a contract. If you can win a contract, you
can build a career. If you can build a career, you can be successful”, says Justus Twinomujuni. He is a graduate civil engineer at the Bazira Kiteesa Sports Ground, where
he was placed when he applied for the six-month Work Readiness Programme.
Twinomujuni's
journey began with a curiosity to bridge the gap between the theoretical
knowledge he acquired in school and practical application in a real-world
setting. He had the noble desire to contribute towards community development
through his engineering skills.
At the Bazira
Kiteesa Sports Ground, the graduate engineer monitors and advises on technical
operations, guides contractors, and ensures adherence to quality standards and
safety protocols. His confidence has soared as he actively engages with
community leaders and locals to understand their perspectives and needs.
He is excited
to integrate his engineering expertise with community insights. Moreover, from
the programme, in addition to honing his technical
skills in software proficiency in technical tools like Civil 3D and ARCHCARD,
Twinomujuni says he has also polished his soft skills like effective communication
and problem-solving abilities. For a fresh graduate, Twinomujuni has
impressively adapted quickly to the professional work environment. With his proven
capacity to engage with diverse stakeholders, from educated professionals who
are his mentors and direct supervisors to those less-versed in technicalities who work at the Sports Ground
which is under construction.
Facing minimal
challenges, Justus highlights the supportive environment provided by the
programme directors. Any issues he faces are swiftly
addressed through collaborative resolutions, which has eased his learning
experience.
Twinomujuni
notes that his active involvement in constructing a pavilion as part of the
Sports Ground project is his significant contribution to Lwengo Community. The
Sports Ground is where the famous Kabaka Run has been modestly commemorated for
the last three years by community members around the area. Youngsters always
visit to practice athletics. Twinomujuni has kept close contact with ‘Engineers
Without Borders’ and can advise the construction team on ground with guidance
from ‘Engineers Without Borders’. This, he says, has enriched his practical
experience and widened his perspective on civil engineering.
The graduate’s
major takeaway from the programme so far is the
importance of interpersonal skills as he emphasizes that effective interaction
with people is pivotal not only for securing contracts but also for building a
successful career in engineering.
With this
positive attitude, Twinomujuni hopes to leverage his training to contribute to
a greater impact in Lwengo community in the next three months, “I’ll be ready
to happen and be the impactful marvel I’ve always wanted to be,” says
Twinomujuni.
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