The world of software engineering can seem like a distant, inaccessible citadel, particularly for a young high school graduate armed only with curiosity and a handful of self-taught projects. This was the reality for Birimumaaso Rogers Tenyigwa, whose ambition to build and innovate was initially caged by a lack of structured, industry-aligned guidance.
Before he was the seasoned software engineer he is today, Rogers was just finishing his Senior 6 vacation, tinkering with web development. He loved finding logical solutions and building things, but the path from hobbyist to professional was obscured. “I had a strong interest in web development and problem-solving, but lacked structured, industry-aligned guidance,” Rogers recalls.
Seeking a practical, industry aligned education, Rogers found his solution in Refactory Academy’s tech-skilling program. “Refactory stood out because it offered hands-on, practical training and exposure to real-world industry expectations,” he explains. The experience that followed was nothing short of transformative. The program is designed not just to teach code, but to simulate the realities of the tech industry, complete with deadlines, stand-ups, peer reviews and technical communication. The core of his growth lay in the project-based learning approach and mentorship. Rogers quickly mastered key skills, including working with modern JavaScript frameworks like Next.js and understanding complex backend architecture.
The true test of his newfound abilities came during the rigorous 6-month Bootcamp. Rogers and his team were assigned to build a crucial KPI Dashboard for Mikashboks. “This real-world project significantly strengthened my technical confidence and helped me understand how to translate user needs into functional, reliable solutions,” he says. This experience was the bridge from theoretical knowledge to practical application. He credits key mentors, like Mr. Jackson Ssenengo and “Ozzy,” who drilled into him the importance of clean architecture, comprehensive documentation and production-level standards.
Today, Rogers is a vital contributor at Loft Technologies, where he builds and improves digital experiences. The impact of his Refactory education is visible in his portfolio of high-stakes, real-world work. Among his proudest achievements: He worked on the ticketing platform for major sporting events, including the recent CHAN football competition, focusing on delivering a smooth, reliable, and scalable user experience. At Elevate, he led the development of a program-management system for an NGO, using Payload CMS to create structured content workflows that simplified their operational needs. “It gave me practical skills, confidence, and the ability to approach problems with an engineering mindset,” Rogers affirms. “It also helped guide me as I went on to study Software Engineering at university, allowing me to stay a step ahead of my peers.” He doesn’t just write code; he brings clean and modular architecture skills, a commitment to documentation, and a collaborative mindset—all instilled by his time at Refactory.
Rogers’ journey from a curious high school graduate to an engineer shaping scalable digital products is a testament to the value of targeted, practical education. His career has not only opened global opportunities but has also allowed him to give back, supporting friends and classmates by sharing resources and mentoring. “Refactory is where it all began for me. I joined with zero coding experience… The program gave me structure, confidence and the foundational skills that shaped everything I’ve become in tech,” he concludes. As Uganda’s tech ecosystem continues to expand, Rogers Tenyigwa hopes to contribute by building impactful software, mentoring the next generation of developers and helping to elevate technical standards across the continent. His story is a powerful reminder that with the right training, curiosity can truly build a successful career.
Interested in a Career Transformation? To learn more about the tech skilling programs and career paths offered by Refactory Academy. Visit www.refactory.academy.
