For years, I felt lost, unsure of a career path that ignited my passion. Then, in September 2020, Refactory became the launchpad that propelled me into the fulfilling world of data and software development. This was through a great friend Mercy Wamanga who told me about Refactory and pointed me in the right direction.
Before Refactory, I volunteered in a completely different field, giving myself time to explore my options. When discussing careers, everyone seemed certain of their goals, except me. Refactory changed that. It wasn’t just a school; it was a catalyst. It reignited my love for math and computer science, subjects that had always fascinated me. Finally, I understood why I could wake up excited to work – because I enjoyed what I did and found meaning in it. Refactory solidified my passion for data and software development, equipping me with the skills I needed.
Beyond technical skills, Refactory fostered a supportive network of brilliant minds. The friendships I forged there continue to inspire and challenge me to greater heights even to this day. The soft skills I learned, especially human-centered design, have been invaluable. I seamlessly transitioned to my first developer internship at Development Initiatives (DI) in January 2022 because Refactory equipped me with agile methodologies, which were already in use at the company.
At DI, I jumped right in, contributing to real-world projects like the GNR website, the devinit website, and an internal data analyst dashboard (using Django/Wagtail (a CMS for Django that I learned on the job) and React.js). Within months, I was involved in a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project through the African Population and Research Center (APHRC) to strengthen data ecosystems in Uganda.
The human-centered design skills came into play during the crucial phase of gathering user requirements, ensuring the right solution was built. This project allowed me to witness various methodologies in action, from design sprints and user interviews to designing the entire data pipeline – from data gathering to warehousing, cleaning, storing on Nextcloud (which we identified as the best cloud storage solution), and finally, disseminating data through custom-made dashboards.
This impactful project led to my current role as a junior data consultant, working closely with two Ugandan districts. It brings me immense joy to see how our work empowers local governments to make data-driven decisions that improve citizens’ lives and track the effectiveness of critical programs like the PDM. I’ve even had the opportunity to train district staff and university students in data literacy and digital data transformation.
Refactory wasn’t just the beginning; it was the foundation that continues to shape my career. I’m grateful for the skills, network, and most importantly, the passion I discovered – all thanks to Refactory. I’m excited to see where this path leads and the positive impact I can continue to make.
