For Namuddu Christine, an internship at Makerere University has transformed classroom knowledge into practical workplace skills, while helping her overcome a fear of communicating with people.

The Secretarial and Administrative Studies diploma student at YMCA Comprehensive Institute began her internship at Makerere University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences on September 10, 2026. She is expected to complete the placement on October 30.

During the internship, Namuddu has taken on tasks including scanning, photocopying, printing, sending emails, writing minutes, filing documents and communicating with staff from different departments.

“I have gained more experience in my internship because I have experienced more things in terms of scanning, photocopying, email, sending and communication with different people,” she said.

The experience has also improved her confidence. Namuddu said she initially feared communicating with people at the university, but the daily interaction required by her work has gradually helped her overcome that challenge.

“At first, I feared to communicate with people, but now I can communicate with different people face-to-face without fearing them,” she said.

Namuddu said the practical work at Makerere has complemented the theoretical training she received at YMCA Comprehensive Institute, particularly in computer skills and typing.

She said the internship has given her an opportunity to apply what she learned in class while acquiring additional workplace skills that cannot be fully developed through classroom instruction.

Her experience, however, has also exposed the financial challenges students can face when undertaking internships far from home.

Namuddu travels from Kawala to Makerere University and said transport costs have been a major challenge, costing her about Shs6,000 every day.

She wants training institutions to consider partnerships that could help students secure internship placements closer to where they live.

“I advise YMCA to put adverts to Makerere University for such students who are looking for internships, such that they can open up opportunities for other students who don’t have connections,” she said.

She also proposed that YMCA and Makerere establish a formal partnership that could provide internship opportunities for several YMCA students each year.

Namuddu secured her placement through a friend who helped her apply at Makerere. She said such informal connections can determine whether students get access to internship opportunities, leaving those without contacts at a disadvantage.

“Connection matters,” she said, explaining that a friend introduced her to the opportunity.

For Namuddu, the internship is also part of a longer educational journey. After completing her primary education at Genesis Primary School in Nakaseke and secondary education at Mpigi Mixed Secondary School and Namugoona Parents School, she joined YMCA Comprehensive Institute for a diploma in Secretarial and Administrative Studies.

She said she chose the diploma route after obtaining points that did not allow her to pursue her preferred university course immediately. Her long-term ambition is to pursue a degree at Makerere University, where she hopes to study Computer Science.

She credits her supervisors at Makerere for helping her develop both technical and interpersonal skills. She specifically thanked Madam Pearl Aturinda for training her in tasks including minute writing, filing, photocopying and scanning, as well as communication and telephone etiquette.

She also acknowledged her YMCA supervisor, Mr Kisembo Nicholas Byenkya, for visiting Makerere to assess her progress.

As she prepares to complete the internship, Namuddu said she would encourage other students to seek opportunities at Makerere because of the practical exposure and experience she has gained.

For her, the value of the internship goes beyond completing a course requirement. It has provided an opportunity to translate classroom theory into workplace practice, build confidence in dealing with people and develop skills she expects to carry into her future career.