Buleni Milton
Milton’s journey did not end in Wobulenzi. In many ways, that period—earning just UGX 70,000 a month as a primary school teacher—was a quiet season of preparation. He had learned humility, patience, and responsibility. But deep inside, he knew he was meant for more.
In November 2010, a turning point came unexpectedly.
A friend of his father visited and shared news of an opportunity at Mulago Paramedical School. The institution was recruiting students for health-related programs, and more importantly, there were government-sponsored positions available. For Milton, this sounded like the chance he had been waiting for—a second door back into education.
Without hesitation, he prepared for the interviews.
The journey to attend the interview was not easy. He had limited money, uncertain prospects, and everything to prove. But when he sat before the panel, Milton brought with him not just academic ability, but a story of resilience. His discipline, intelligence, and determination were evident.
He passed.
Milton was admitted to pursue a Diploma in Orthopaedic Technology under government sponsorship.
It was a moment of redemption.
At Mulago, he entered a new world—one that combined science, medicine, and practical skills. Orthopaedic technology required precision, technical understanding, and attention to detail. Milton embraced it fully. He attended lectures diligently, spent long hours in practical sessions, and constantly sought to improve his skills.
Unlike many students who take opportunities for granted, Milton studied with purpose. He understood what it had cost him to get there.
By the time he completed his diploma in June 2013, his hard work had paid off in a remarkable way. He graduated with a CGPA of 4.0—a perfect score.
Once again, he had proven that given an opportunity, he could excel.
After graduation, Milton needed to work. He secured a position as a medical representative at Regal Pharmaceuticals Limited, earning UGX 300,000 per month. It was a step forward financially compared to his teaching job, but more importantly, it introduced him to the pharmaceutical industry.
As a medical representative, he interacted with healthcare professionals, learned about medicines, and understood how pharmaceutical products moved from companies to patients. He observed the business side of healthcare—the marketing, the relationships, the systems.
But something else was happening.
Milton began to realize that he wanted to go deeper—not just to represent medicines, but to understand them fully, to be part of their development, regulation, and safe use. This realization sparked a new ambition: to become a pharmacist.
In 2014, he took a bold step.
He applied for a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at Makerere University, one of the most prestigious universities in Uganda. Given his academic record, he was admitted.
But admission was only half the battle.
The question remained: how would he pay for it?
The cost of university education was far beyond what he or his family could afford. For a moment, it seemed like history might repeat itself—that financial constraints would once again stand in the way of his progress.
Then, something remarkable happened.
In the same year, the Government of Uganda announced a student loan scheme aimed at supporting students pursuing higher education. Milton applied, hoping for the best.
He was successful.
With this support, he began his Bachelor of Pharmacy program. For the first time, he stepped into a university lecture hall as a pharmacy student—a dream he had not been sure he would ever achieve.
However, even with the loan, uncertainty remained. Loans come with obligations, and Milton was aware that he would eventually need to repay it.
In January 2015, another opportunity presented itself—one that would change everything.
He learned about the PSU Abacus Scholarship, a program designed to support academically capable but financially disadvantaged students. Once again, Milton applied.
And once again, he succeeded.
Receiving the PSU Abacus Scholarship was a turning point. It meant that his education would be fully supported, reducing the burden of debt and allowing him to focus entirely on his studies.
Demonstrating both integrity and responsibility, Milton applied for the cancellation of the student loan scheme. He did not want to carry unnecessary financial obligations if an alternative had been secured.
From that point onward, he pursued his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree under the scholarship program.
University life was demanding. Pharmacy is a rigorous course, requiring deep understanding of chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and clinical practice. But Milton approached it the same way he had approached every challenge in his life—with discipline, focus, and determination.
He studied long hours, participated actively in practical sessions, and built strong relationships with his peers and lecturers. His previous experiences—teaching, working, struggling—gave him maturity that many of his classmates did not yet have.
In 2018, he completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree.
It was a milestone that represented years of perseverance, sacrifice, and resilience.
But Milton was not done yet.
In October 2018, he joined China-Uganda Friendship Hospital for his internship. This was a critical phase, where theoretical knowledge met real-world practice. As an intern pharmacist, he worked in hospital settings, dispensing medicines, counseling patients, and collaborating with healthcare teams.
The internship also provided a modest income.
True to his character, Milton made a deliberate decision: he used this income to pay off the student loan he had previously taken. Even though the scholarship had supported his education, he honored his financial responsibility.
This act reflected not just discipline, but integrity.
He completed his internship in September 2019, having gained valuable experience and practical skills.
In November of the same year, he sat for the PSU pre-registration examination—a key step toward becoming a fully licensed pharmacist.
As he sat in that examination room, Milton carried with him more than just knowledge.
He carried the journey from Koyi Primary School, the struggle at Mvara, the days in Wobulenzi, the breakthrough at Mulago, the long path through university, and the responsibility he had upheld every step of the way.
His story was no longer just about overcoming obstacles.
It had become a story of transformation—from a rural student with limited means to a trained healthcare professional with a clear vision for the future.
And though many chapters had already been written, it was clear that Milton’s story was far from over.
In fact, it was just beginning
This post was created with our nice and easy submission form. Create your post!
Written by
Did this story move you? Every gift goes directly to Buleni Milton — writers on Muwado earn from reader appreciation, not algorithms. Even $1 makes a difference.
Muwado weekly chart
Get Africa’s top 10 stories every Thursday
No account needed — just your email.
Want to follow Buleni Milton and get notified every time they publish?
Create a free Muwado account →