By Irene Best Nyapendi
When storms descend and trials cut off one’s firm grip on life, a natural reaction might be to retreat. To many, that withdrawal may mark the end of the pursuit. To a few, like Ivan Habaasa Akatwijuka, a retreat after a stumble is for purposes of re-organizing oneself in order to bounce back in a bigger way.
That is exactly what happened to Akatwijuka during his younger years as a teen. Akatwijuka is now the College Secretary of Uganda Christian University (UCU) Bishop Barham University College (BBUC) and nearing a doctoral degree.
After excelling as the best pupil in his primary school, Akatwijuka found himself sitting at home for two-and-a-half years before resuming school. The family already struggled to pay fees for Akatwijuka’s elder sister, so they could not meet his requirements as well.
But Akatwijuka did not let the circumstances of the time shape his future. He took matters into his own hands, taking up manual jobs, such as those at construction sites.
“From the money I made, I became a middleman in the coffee value chain,” he said. “I would buy the crop at a cheaper price from farmers and sell it to processors at a higher price. That’s how I managed to save enough money for my secondary school fees.”
Additionally, the community members who knew Akatwijuka’s education resolution supported him. During school holidays, many of them would offer him jobs to help him raise money for school fees.
It was through such small, often under-looked tasks that Akatwijuka learned the value of hard work and determination – lessons he says have guided him in life. And it is this hard work that has seen Akatwijuka attain all the academic successes, with his latest being a PhD. In June, Kabale University will bestow on Akatwijuka a PhD in Business Administration.
His educational journey began at Nyakariro Primary School from where he joined Nyakagyeme and, later, Bugangari Secondary School for O’level. At A’level, Akatwijuka attended St. Gerald’s Nyakibale Secondary School. All the four schools are in western Uganda.
For his undergraduate study, Akatwijuka attended Kyambogo University in Kampala, where he studied Bachelor of Business Studies with Education, on a Ugandan government bursary. At Uganda Management Institute, he attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management and a Master’s degree in Management Studies. It is at Rukungiri Institute of Management where Akatwijuka was offered his first formal job as an assistant lecturer.
As the university secretary, a position Akatwijuka has held since 2019, he oversees financial operations, sanctions budgets and handles the payroll, ensuring the institution remains financially sound. In addition to the role of University Secretary, he also teaches human resource and financial management at both bachelor’s and master’s levels.
For the PhD research, Akatwijuka focused on financial management and performance of private universities. He explored the challenges private universities in Uganda face in managing resources and found that many struggle to link proprietors with stakeholders.
He also found that 90% of private universities rely solely on student tuition, which can be a heavy burden. His research is emphatic on pursuing alternative strategies, such as building strategic partnerships, effective financial management, applying for grants and investing in assets.
Akatwijuka says paying his tuition stretched his resources, leading him to take loans and even sell some of the trees that he was growing.
During the PhD study, most of the late nights were spent on his dissertation work, often at the expense of his personal and family time. He said the pressure to deliver took a toll on his health, and that he eventually developed high blood pressure as well as weight gain since he often sat for long hours.
He is grateful to UCU for the 5% tuition support and to his wife, who he says took on extra responsibilities to be able to support on paying some of the family bills. He is grateful to God for he has seen the hand of God throughout this journey.
As Akatwijuka prepares to graduate in June, the 46-year-old married man and father of one reflects on his journey with pride. Through his experience and challenges, he has learned that motivation and hard work, indeed, pay off.
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