Brenda Angeyo works as an assistant electrician at Albertine Water in Hoima, a company that manufactures and distributes mineral water in uganda. Brenda repairs machinery, maintains equipment, and installs new appliances. She enjoys her job because it challenges her and allows her to learn something new every day. There are two electricians on the technical team, and they live close to the factory so they can easily respond when emergencies arise.  

Brenda joined Albertine Water on 9th September 2024, but her path to the company began long before that. She was born in the Acholi region but grew up in Fort Portal. At 25, she admits she never imagined herself in the field of electricity. She originally wanted to become a teacher and only enrolled in the electrical course when an opportunity opened for her, a month before the first term ended. Over time, however, she discovered real interest in the work. “The course is good,” she said. “There is always something new to learn, but it is also very demanding because you can get an electric shock.”  

She recalls an incident while connecting a motor. “I had connected the cables very well, but when I was closing the fan cover, the wires came into contact and there was a spark.” Incidents like this taught her the importance of caution. She wears gloves and overalls provided by the company whenever she is working.  

Brenda studied at St. Joseph’s Vocational Institute, graduating in 2023 with a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering. Most of her classes were theory-based, so she had limited practical exposure at school. Internships helped bridge the gap: she had weekly practical lessons and placements lasting from one week to two months. She did two internships in Kasese and one in Fort Portal.  

Before joining St. Joseph’s, Brenda had almost given up on the idea of continuing her education because her father did not have the means to pay for it. She completed O-Level in 2021 and thought that was the end of her schooling. Then Enabel contacted her and offered sponsorship at St. Joseph’s, an opportunity she learned about through her father.  

After completing her course, she briefly worked in Kasese as a craft salesperson, selling handmade items to tourists. Five months later, she was invited by Enabel to attend a two-day soft skills workshop in Masindi with other young people, including some who had studied at St. Joseph’s. “We were taught how to conduct ourselves at work, how to be flexible and hardworking, how to communicate clearly, build confidence, relate well with colleagues, and work as a team.” She believes this training prepared her for workplace expectations and helped her settle in quickly.  

The soft skills training ended in July 2023, after which the youth were placed in different companies. Brenda was assigned to Albertine Water in September 2023. She had no problem moving from Fort Portal to Hoima and was placed alongside another trainee in mechanics. Her first contract was for six months, including three months on probation. When the contract ended, the company chose to retain her. A colleague gave management a positive report describing Brenda as hardworking, flexible, and eager to learn. The company needed an assistant electrician, and because Brenda was the only electrician among the youth who had gone through the soft skills programme, she was selected when Albertine Water contacted Enabel.  

Today, Brenda is proud of how far she has come. She recently encouraged her brothers and sister to apply for the Work Readiness Programme through the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, a partner of Enabel in implementing the programme under the WeWork – green and decent jobs for youth project, funded by the European Union and Belgium.  

“I am grateful that Enabel gave me this chance and changed my life,” she said. “I am now able to help my dad by sending him some money to get by.” 

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