Campuser by day, hustler by night: how taxi tout managed to score a first class degree
In 2023, he graduated with a first-class degree from Makerere University School of Public Health, finishing second in his class with a CGPA of 4.42.
Allan Ssembuusi-Mayengo is a full-time research associate and preparing to pursue a master’s degree. (Courtesy photos)
By Jacky Achan
Journalists @New Vision
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Coming from a humble background, Allan Ssembuusi-Mayengo had nearly given up on university—let alone landing a corporate job. His A-level results weren’t good enough for a government scholarship, and his parents couldn’t afford the tuition.
With no clear path forward, he settled into life as a taxi tout. It wasn’t the corporate future he had envisioned, but it put food on the table. Still, he felt a quiet shame whenever former classmates—or worse, potential love interests—saw him shouting destinations and hustling passengers.
Then one day, a former schoolmate spotted him at work. Instead of pity, she offered life-changing advice: apply for university under private sponsorship and take out a student loan.
The idea stuck. Soon, Ssembuusi-Mayengo was admitted to Makerere University for a bachelor’s in Environmental Health Sciences. It was a small victory—but the loan hadn’t yet come through. Undeterred, he kept touting to cobble together tuition.
His fellow touts were baffled. “You’re at university and still hustling here?” they asked.
But he had no time for scepticism—only ambition. He sold bottled water in the taxi park, washed cars and motorbikes at his brother’s makeshift carwash, and rode a bicycle to campus to save money.
Relief came at the end of his first semester when the student loan was finally approved. But he wasn’t done hustling. Spotting an opportunity in student leadership, he ran for and won the position of class representative.
Allan Ssembuusi-Mayengo during his university days.
It wasn’t just about prestige. As class rep, he collected study materials from lecturers to photocopy—earning discounts and reselling the copies to classmates at a small markup. It wasn’t much, but it helped.
Despite juggling studies and multiple side hustles, Ssembuusi-Mayengo maintained a stellar CGPA of 4.6 in his first semester—a first-class standing he never let go of.
Evolving his hustles
By his second year, Ssembuusi-Mayengo had bigger dreams—he wanted to live on campus and fully focus on his studies. A friend offered him a place to stay, but he needed Shs150,000, which he didn’t have. Back to the taxi park he went—only to find his usual spot taken. Time to pivot again.
Using sh80,000 from his mother and his own savings of sh20,000, he started selling sugarcane from a wooden cart. Business picked up fast, but the embarrassment lingered.
“I ran into classmates from primary and secondary school—even teachers. One time, a girl I had a crush on spotted me. I wished the earth would swallow me. But I had to work!” he recalls with a laugh.
Ironically, the same taxi park friends who once questioned his academic hustle became his biggest cheerleaders. Their support—and his own persistence—eventually helped him save enough to move onto campus and leave behind the daily bicycle commutes.
Then came COVID-19. Lockdowns upended everything. Once again, Ssembuusi-Mayengo had to adapt. He learned phone repair from a friend, dabbled in sales for commission, and later launched a mobile nail polishing business—an unexpected hit.
Soon, he was doing manicures and pedicures across multiple universities. Despite the thriving business, his true goal remained unchanged: a formal career in academia and research.
Breaking through
Ssembuusi-Mayengo’s story eventually made headlines. In 2023, he graduated with a first-class degree from Makerere University School of Public Health, finishing second in his class with a CGPA of 4.42.
When he approached one of his lecturers for a volunteer position, the lecturer had already heard of his relentless hustle—and was impressed by his resilience.
Allan Ssembuusi-Mayengo graduated with a first-class degree.
“They knew me as the class representative and a hard-working student,” Ssembuusi-Mayengo recalls. Moved by his story and work ethic, the lecturer offered him a volunteer role at the School of Public Health. Just like that, he packed away his nail polish bottles. His clients were heartbroken, but he was ready to commit fully to the next chapter.
Today, Ssembuusi-Mayengo is a full-time research associate and preparing to pursue a master’s degree. The odd jobs, the long days, the moments of shame—none of it matters now.
His message to fellow university students: hustle hard, embrace the struggle, and never let shame stand in the way of your dreams. Because it’s not about where you start—it’s about how far you're willing to go.
Research shows that success in today’s job market hinges on more than just academic credentials. Students should focus on developing transferable skills, gaining real-world experience, and committing to lifelong learning. Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities are just as essential.
“In the past, I was self-employed. Now, I work under supervision. I stay committed and deliver quality work on time—because this is where my passion lies,” Ssembuusi-Mayengo says with conviction.