I Chose Intentional Habits to Reclaim my time!

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I did not even know what an apprenticeship was when I first heard about Refactory.

A lecturer at campus introduced me to the programme, and my reaction was simple: Why not?

That one decision changed the direction of my career.

My name is Akol Tino Bridget, from Kumi District, Uganda. I am a software developer with a growing passion for frontend development and cloud computing. I am passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and create meaningful impact in my community.

Before Refactory, I was pursuing a Diploma in Computer Science and trying to figure out where I fit in the world of technology. I was learning, exploring and, honestly, trying to find my way. Looking back, I even used to call myself a “Full Stack Developer”—interesting times!

In March 2025, I joined the Refactory Apprenticeship Programme.

And the journey was not always easy.

I was balancing my final year of school with the demands of the apprenticeship. There were days when I had to choose between campus activities, social time and sessions that I believed would shape my future. I had to give up some habits that were taking up my time and become much more intentional about how I spent my days.

There were also moments when I questioned myself.

I wondered whether I really belonged in the programme. I looked around and felt like everyone else knew what they were doing while I was still trying to figure things out.

At some point, I even asked myself, “What criteria did they use to give me this programme?”

Yes, I thought about giving up. Many times.

But I wanted to see how the story would end.

I wanted to finish what I had started. More importantly, I wanted to prove to myself that I could persevere.

Looking back now, I realise that those difficult moments were teaching me some of the most important lessons: resilience, patience, discipline and self-awareness.

I also learned that sometimes leadership means stepping up, even when you don’t feel completely ready. I was jokingly called a “silent dictator” because, apparently, things simply had to get done! But that experience taught me how to take responsibility, speak up and lead when necessary.

Along the way, I was fortunate to have people who challenged me and helped me grow.

Jackson Ssenengo inspired me academically. His humility stood out to me. He has an incredible depth of knowledge but remains approachable and grounded. His classes, especially those on SOLID principles, were some of my favourites. He was also one of the people who introduced me to AWS and sparked my interest in cloud computing.

My apprenticeship mentors, Katumba Ivan Koreta and Eric Muhwezi , also played a big role in my journey. Their approach was what I would describe as “tough love.” They challenged us, corrected us, celebrated our wins and patiently listened to us—even during our less-than-perfect moments.

At the time, we did not always appreciate the corrections. Today, I understand that they were helping shape us into better professionals.

Refactory changed me in ways that go beyond technical skills.

Professionally, I gained practical experience, exposure to industry standards and the confidence to communicate in meetings, presentations and public speaking engagements.

Personally, I became more resilient and disciplined. I learned the importance of continuous learning and, perhaps most importantly, that technical excellence is only one part of becoming a successful professional.

Character matters too.

Refactory also opened doors for me. I am currently engaged in a paid internship, and I have gained access to professional networks, mentors and opportunities that I may not have encountered otherwise.

My journey also brought me back to Refactory to pursue Cloud Computing.

During my apprenticeship, I was introduced to AWS, and I became curious about what happens behind the scenes of the digital products we use every day.

How do applications scale? Where are they hosted? How do organisations use cloud infrastructure to innovate?

I wanted to understand it all.

And honestly, once I started learning about cloud computing, I thought, “Oh my, we all need this!”

I think I now love cloud even more.

If there is one lesson I will carry with me, it is that there will always be someone more skilled or more experienced than you. But success is about much more than technical ability.

Communication matters. Emotional intelligence matters. Accountability matters. Leadership matters. The ability to work with others matters.

I have also learned that leadership is about both leading and being led. We need each other to build the wall.

Today, I am still learning, still growing and still figuring things out. But I am much more confident about the direction I want to take.

I joined Refactory because I thought, “Why not?”

Now, I find myself not only building my career in technology but also becoming a silent ambassador for the same journey that helped shape me.

And I hope many more young people get the opportunity to take that first step.

Sometimes, you don’t need to have everything figured out.

Sometimes, you just need to say:

“Why not?”

Written by

Refactory Academy

Refactory is a software-skilling academy addressing the need to produce skilled software developers in Uganda today. We are training the next generation of software developer talent and experts responsive to the needs of the ecosystem.

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