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Ouganda
Alex Tumukunde, a 25-year-old agricultural
scientist, graduated from Makerere University in 2024 with a Bachelor of
Science degree. Right after graduation, he stumbled upon the Work Readiness
Programme (WRP) through a link sent to him on WhatsApp. “Although it sounded
like a fraud, having been sent through WhatsApp, I decided to take a chance and
apply,” Alex recalls.
He was drawn to the programme because it targeted sectors
like agro-processing, which matched his field of study, giving him hope that he
would be a good fit.
Now, Alex works as a Dairy Development
Executive at Pearl Dairy Farm, where he has been for the past three months.
His
role is similar to that of an extension worker. He collaborates with farmers
who supply milk, providing them with agricultural extension services and
guiding them on how to mechanize their farms to increase the quantity and
quality of their milk. Part of his job is also to mobilize more farmers to
supply milk to the company and encourage them to take on projects that improve
their farms.
Pearl Dairies also offers loans to farmers, which can be repaid in
milk, and Alex helps explain these opportunities to the farmers.
In his short time at Pear Dairies, Alex has
recruited two new farmers to supply milk and convinced one farmer to take up a
loan. He’s proud of maintaining the farmers who were already partnering with
the company when he joined, all thanks to the skills and confidence he’s built
along the way.
University taught Alex a lot of theory, but
there weren’t enough practical lessons, leaving him with low confidence when he
first joined the company.
“Since joining the WRP, I have become more hands-on,
dealing directly with farmers in areas like feed formulation, silage making,
animal handling, and training on cost-benefit analysis,” he says.
His
interpersonal skills have also grown, thanks to his frequent interactions with
farmers.
Alex is willing to embrace opportunities,
even if they come from unexpected places. He didn’t hesitate to move from
Kampala to Mbarara for the job, believing that a breakthrough can happen
anywhere. He feels that many young people miss out on such chances due to their
reluctance to work outside the city. “It’s their poor attitude,” he says about
those who turned down jobs outside Kampala.
When asked if he would recommend the WRP to
other graduates, Alex responds enthusiastically: “Absolutely, because this
programme is magic for the graduates.” He hopes that more graduates will join,
even if they are not retained in their roles; the experience alone makes them
more competitive for future jobs.
For Alex, the biggest takeaway from the
Work Readiness Programme is simple: “Hands-on.” The practical experience has
transformed his confidence, skills, and career outlook, showing the true impact
of turning education into real-world action.
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