My first job: Vincent Kiwanuka
Sep 20, 2009
DURING my A’ Level, I started freelancing for <i>The Monitor</i> newspaper. By the time I joined university I was earning between sh50,000-sh70,000 a month. Later, I became a campus correspondent for <i>The Crusader</i>.
Consultant Embassy of Japan in Uganda
What was your first job? Where and when was it? How much did you earn then?
DURING my A’ Level, I started freelancing for The Monitor newspaper. By the time I joined university I was earning between sh50,000-sh70,000 a month. Later, I became a campus correspondent for The Crusader. I got my first job in the formal sector in 2000 when I joined the Foundation for African Development (FAD) as a public relations manager. I was earning sh250,000 per month.
What is the most enduring memory of your first job?
While at FAD, I once stayed in office up to 2:00am working on a newsletter. Some writers submitted articles late, yet I had a deadline to beat. I was scared of walking to the nearest stage from where I could get a taxi to my place. I did not have money for a special hire. Boda boda were scarce. I waited on the roadside for over 30 minutes. By then, I was too exhausted and hungry.
What did you learn from it that makes you a better boss?
I learnt that proper planning saves time and stress. Leaving office at 2:00am was an eye opener. People should be organised if they are to achieve their targets.
Did the first job change your career path or perspective of life?
Yes. Working with FAD aroused my interest in human rights, constitutionalism and governance issues. This was a time when political activities in Uganda were by law restricted.
We used to engage people of various political shades to dialogue on the way forward for the country and at times, security agencies violently dispersed our activities. As time went on, I could not see myself as a journalist doing news beats or working at a desk as an editor or manager of a media house. I had reached a point of “no return,†in my career.
CAREER PROFILE
Consultant, Embassy of Japan in Uganda (2008 to date)
Programme Officer, Embassy of Japan in Uganda (2006-2007)
Executive Director, Foundation for African Development (FAD) (2002-2006)
Interviewed by Doreen Murungi
What was your first job? Where and when was it? How much did you earn then?
DURING my A’ Level, I started freelancing for The Monitor newspaper. By the time I joined university I was earning between sh50,000-sh70,000 a month. Later, I became a campus correspondent for The Crusader. I got my first job in the formal sector in 2000 when I joined the Foundation for African Development (FAD) as a public relations manager. I was earning sh250,000 per month.
What is the most enduring memory of your first job?
While at FAD, I once stayed in office up to 2:00am working on a newsletter. Some writers submitted articles late, yet I had a deadline to beat. I was scared of walking to the nearest stage from where I could get a taxi to my place. I did not have money for a special hire. Boda boda were scarce. I waited on the roadside for over 30 minutes. By then, I was too exhausted and hungry.
What did you learn from it that makes you a better boss?
I learnt that proper planning saves time and stress. Leaving office at 2:00am was an eye opener. People should be organised if they are to achieve their targets.
Did the first job change your career path or perspective of life?
Yes. Working with FAD aroused my interest in human rights, constitutionalism and governance issues. This was a time when political activities in Uganda were by law restricted.
We used to engage people of various political shades to dialogue on the way forward for the country and at times, security agencies violently dispersed our activities. As time went on, I could not see myself as a journalist doing news beats or working at a desk as an editor or manager of a media house. I had reached a point of “no return,†in my career.
CAREER PROFILE
Executive Director, Foundation for African Development (FAD) (2002-2006)
Interviewed by Doreen Murungi