By Andrew Gum
If you walk through Uganda Christian University (UCU) early in the morning, you’ll find 7 Star Cleaning Company staff already hard at work sweeping, dusting, and polishing. Among them is Namulwana Jacent Mary, a calm but commanding figure. As supervisor, she moves confidently across campus, checking in with team leaders, distributing work plans for that day.
Yet just a few years ago, Namulwana was at home jobless, raising children, and recovering from a failed business. After graduating in 2014 with a degree in Development Studies from Kyambogo University, she spent eight years searching for formal employment. In 2022, she took a chance on a cleaning job, a decision that quietly reshaped her life.
Education Background
Namulwana was born and raised in Mukono, and studied at Seeta Parents Primary School, where she got four aggregates in her Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
This achievement paved the way for her admission to Mount St. Mary’s, Namagunga, for her O-Level studies, followed by A-Level at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Gayaza. Her academic prowess and determination led her to Kyambogo University, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Developmental Studies.
“While studying, I wanted to become a social worker,” Namulwana recalls. “I wanted to deal with people, to help them. This didn’t go as planned and I did Development studies.”
She did her internship at Nama Sub-County which gave her hands-on experience in community engagement, reinforcing her desire to serve.
After finishing her studies at the university in 2014, Namulwana faced the same challenge many graduates face, finding a job in her field. “I applied to many organisations, but I was never shortlisted,” she says. Eventually, she gave up and focused on being a wife and mother.
Rising through the ranks
It was in 2022, that the opportunity to work came quite unexpectedly. The opportunity came through a neighbour who encouraged and inspired her to apply for the job. Taking the advice, she submitted her application, and to her surprise, she was accepted on the spot and informed she could start work immediately.
Namulwana’s work ethic and education quickly set her apart. Within three months of starting work as a cleaner, she was promoted to store manager. Soon after, she became an assistant supervisor, and within another three months, she was appointed supervisor.
She attributes her rapid rise to her productivity and educational background. “When the CEO learned I had a degree and saw my work ethic, he was impressed,” she says.
Namulwana’s job sees her coordinating multiple cleaning teams, drawing up daily work plans and ensuring every team leader reports back with updates.
“At first, it wasn’t easy. The people I worked with didn’t accept that I was promoted,” says Namulwana Jacent Mary, reflecting on her early days as a supervisor. Having risen from within the ranks, her promotion was met with resistance from some colleagues, especially those who were older or had worked longer in the company. There were murmurs of doubt, teasing, and comparisons that questioned her new authority
However, after two years in the position, the situation has changed. Through consistent leadership, professionalism, and respect for her team, Namulwana has earned her place. Today, she is widely accepted in her role, and the tension that once existed has given way to cooperation
As a supervisor, Namulwana relies on team leaders to ensure smooth operations as she carries the overall supervision role.
She credits her academic background for giving her an edge, particularly in administrative tasks like registering workers and managing accounts. However, she emphasizes that much of her success stems from common sense and a knack for dealing with people.
Balancing work and family
Balancing her demanding job with family life is no small feat. As a mother of two, a daughter in primary school and a son in nursery school, Namulwana starts her day at 4:30 a.m., preparing her children for school before commuting from Seeta to UCU.
Every day, Namulwana assigns team leaders to manage different work areas and supervises their progress. The team leaders keep her updated, and she moves around to check on the work being done. She also distributes cleaning materials to the staff and makes sure they are used properly, keeping track of everything as part of her daily routine. After finishing her work, she heads home to be with her children and family.
Defying expectations
Namulwana admits that her entry into the cleaning industry was met with mixed reactions. At home, people who grew up with her despaired of her cleaning job; even her aunt, a respected lecturer at Kyambogo, who had supported her through her education did not like the job she was doing.
“People looked at me as a failure. I was from a humble background, but expectations were high because of who paid my fee, she says as her eyes narrowing slightly as she pauses. When they saw me in cleaning work, they judged me but I didn’t care, I wanted to work,” she says.
Namulwana also kept her job a secret from her husband when she first started working. Knowing he was comfortable with her staying at home, she feared he wouldn’t support her decision to take up cleaning. “I told him I was working in a lecturer’s office so that he wouldn’t stop me from working,” she recalls, her voice tinged with a mix of nervousness and quiet determination. She pauses briefly, a small, wistful smile crossing her face as if recalling the secret she carried.
When it came to her earnings, she said she was earning a small salary at first and believed her husband wouldn’t be pleased if he knew the exact amount. To avoid discouragement, she chose not to tell him the real figure so she could continue working. However, when she got promoted and her salary increased, she was happy to finally share the news with him.
Lessons learnt
As a leader, she has learned that authority doesn’t require noise. “You don’t need to be so loud for people to follow you. Calmness and planning get the job done,” she shares.
Although her current role doesn’t fully utilise her academic training, she believes her education contributes indirectly: “It is mostly common sense that I use to manage the cleaning work but understanding how to register workers and manage teams is something I can relate to from my studies.”
Reflecting on her post-graduation struggles, she advises, “Paperwork is good, but you have to utilise any opportunity that comes your way. Don’t sit back and wait for the job you studied for.” Her experience of sending application letters to various institutions without getting a response taught her the importance of flexibility. “If I could go back to 2014, I wouldn’t mind much about searching for formal employment. I would just look for any opportunity nearby,” she says.
Namulwana now dreams of owning her own cleaning company one day. With her experience, leadership skills, and understanding of the industry, she believes it is possible.
