An Interview With ...

Christopher Kamya, Accounting Clerk at St. John Uganda 

Name: Christopher Kamya                    Age: 44                    Marital Status: Married (3 children)
 

What made you decide to work for St. John Uganda?

After being a volunteer at St. John, I decided I wanted to work with the organisation. I have been with St. John since November 1996.

Are NGO’s considered to be good employers in Uganda?

Some are good like St. John and the Red Cross and others are not so good. For example, some locally formed NGO's pretending to alleviate poverty for the local population end up conning people into paying membership fees and later proprietors disappear.

Why did you choose to train as an Accountant? Is it a respected profession in Uganda?

Yes it is a respected profession in Uganda. I became an accountant because I have always dreamed of starting up a small business of my own and to manage it, I require business knowledge.

Did you study accounting at school/ college or at University?

I studied at Makerere College of Business Studies - Jinja Branch in Jinja District for 2 years.

If you had the opportunity would you like to undertake a course?

If an opportunity arose I would like to continue my studies with different Chartered Institutions of Business / accounting Bodies. These course cost between 800- 900 GB, nearly a year’s salary. With three children and no Government subsidy or loans available to me this is beyond my reach at the moment.

What is the most difficult part of your job/ week?

St. Johns must attend public duties and we are required to take at least one ambulance to the event. It requires fuel and drugs etc which means money has to be taken from petty cash. We are paid by the client usually 2-4 weeks later.  If there are many public duties in succession money becomes very tight and we have to turn down some jobs. I find it really tough when the trainers/medics come and ask for fuel for the ambulance (fuel in Uganda is more expensive than in Britain). St John’s finds it really hard to turn work down and therefore I really struggle, as I need enough money to pay everyone’s wages. 

Are there other accountants in your family or amongst your friends?

My father who is now a retired Civil servant was an Executive Officer - Accounts with Ministry of Education.

Do you have to travel far to get to work each day?
 
Yes, I have to travel 4 kilometres each day to get to work to where I am renting now. 

If you would like to find out more about Chris's work with our volunteer Matthew Kennerley please visit Matt's his blog www.afid.org.uk/blog/volunteer/light-end-tunnel

For more information of St John Uganda and the great work of St John Worldwide please visit their website www.orderofstjohn.org/uganda