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Ouganda
Agaba Atumanya, 26, graduated with a degree in
Industrial Engineering and Management from Kyambogo University. He learned
about the Work Readiness Programme (WRP) through a friend who shared a link via
WhatsApp. Since manufacturing was one of the focus areas of the programme, and
it aligned with his field of study, he decided to apply. Though it seemed too
good to be true, his positive attitude pushed him to give it a shot, and he was
accepted to work at Pearl Dairy Farm Limited in Mbarara.
Agaba was assigned to the UHT (Ultra Heat
Treatment) department, where milk is processed and packaged. While he was
familiar with designing and producing finished products, he suggested to his
supervisor that he could be more effective as a machine operator, learning the
process from the ground up. After some training, he was put on shift to operate
the first machine in the cold plant, which packs milk. His job is to ensure the
machine runs smoothly by feeding in packaging materials and making sure the
final product meets quality standards.
Agaba has found that his education is now
directly relevant to his work. He can easily link the theory he learned in
class to the practical tasks he's doing, which has boosted his confidence. He
has also improved his problem-solving skills, as he regularly has to fix issues
with the machines. His teamwork, communication, and time management skills have
grown since he must be on time every day to start production. Agaba has even
come up with ideas to improve processes, which his colleagues have adopted on
several occasions.
One of his key contributions has been reducing
waste during production by minimizing rejects. He prepares the machines
carefully before production and ensures maintenance is done properly, which has
helped reduce bad products that can't be sold.
Agaba faced some stigma from older co-workers,
who felt threatened by a new graduate. "When you're fresh from school,
some people worry you'll take their place or get promoted before them," he
says. But over time, he focused on his work and eventually built good relationships
with his colleagues.
Agaba believes in following opportunities
wherever they lead. "I spent seven years in Kampala, but that doesn’t mean
my future is there. That's why I took this job in Mbarara. It’s preparing me
for the future, and when I return to Kampala, I’ll be more competitive because
of what I've learned here."
He highly recommends the WRP to recent
graduates, saying it gave him a direct path from school to employment in his
field. "The programme is about getting ready for work, but for me, it's
also about optimization and effectiveness. I’ve learned to work within limits,
add value to the company, and grow as an employee."
Agaba feels lucky to have been part of the
programme and hopes others will take advantage of similar opportunities.
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