Henry Ssuubi’s optimistic future has not just begun after him attaining and being awarded a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree with a First Class at Makerere University, but the doors opened for him earlier on, before graduation, when he met his destiny helpers while pursuing his undergraduate degree and after landing a juicy job at Uganda Baati.

Ssuubi, also known as Kiyimba, did not just fly there; it was a step at a time. He had scored 17 points in UACE examinations that he attended from St. Bruno Sserunkuma S.S. Goli with PEM (Physics, Economics, and Mathematics) as his combination, which points enabled him to be admitted to Makerere University on government sponsorship to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with Education (Economics).

According to Ssuubi, this was not his desired course, but it was because his parent could not afford the private sponsorship for his dream course of a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering.

Nevertheless, this was not Ssuubi’s end point but instead his turning point that started when he reported to University Hall for his first year (as a fresher) at Makerere University campus with a metallic box (suitcase) and an ‘osoufia’ bag, which made him the point of focus after being trolled on social media. His situation later attracted several well-wishers who swung in action to offer him a hand in chasing his passion in the field of engineering by footing his education bills.

The scoffed story thrust Ssuubi into the limelight, which became a blessing in disguise when Joadah Consult and Development Infrastructure, a construction company, offered a full sponsorship of his dream course at the same campus and signed an MoU with the university, which was a stepping stone for Ssuubi. On Monday, August 11, 2019, he had his first day in the School of Engineering.

“Joadah Consult and Development Infrastructure would like to give our official offer for a full scholarship for Mr. Ssuubi Henry Kiyimba for a course in Mechanical Engineering at Makerere University,” the letter read in part.

At the peak of his undergraduate course, Ssuubi, who majored in electric automobiles and renewable energy systems, started turning his ridiculed story into a splendid one with a string of blessings after venturing into the production of petrol fuel from plastics as his final year project just before starting to work for Uganda Baati, where he is currently employed.

The project was not only aimed at enabling him to attain his undergraduate degree but also at a venture that would help him hit the jackpot of millions of money in the field of business and eventually become a boss of his own, offer employment opportunities to Ugandans, and, as a result, boost revenue, thus contributing to Uganda’s economic development.

Regarding environment and climate change, if Ssuubi advances with his innovation, plastic pollution will be history in Uganda since these are some of the raw materials used in producing the final product, hence safeguarding the environment. However, it is not yet clear how far Ssuubi is from running the project for business.

On the side of his educational achievements, Ssuubi officially finished his undergraduate course on Friday, February 2, 2024, when he graduated with a First Class Degree in Bsc. Mechanical Engineering from Makerere University. This achievement was celebrated by several individuals, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who took to his X handle, “Today, I conferred a degree on Henry Suubi, the metallic box legend. I was happy to meet his mother, and I congratulated her on this achievement.”

Others included Associate Professor Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, who also tweeted, “So they come to me for a picture, and after they introduce to me this famous fresh Engineer. Stories our entitled children need to hear. Congratulations, young, determined man. Tag him if you know him, and add that famous picture of then.”

However, Ssuubi, who hails from Mpigi district, wouldn’t have achieved all this if he didn’t have a determined mother who backed him throughout his education. A single mother of eight children identified as Rose Nalwanga did not neglect her child but kept on speaking words of wisdom and hope into his life (giving guidance), which still ring in his mind and have eventually granted him a soft and safe landing in his career life.

Much as they say that history repeats itself, Ssuubi’s milestone is exceptional and calls for no need to question his history or even draw conclusions on his looming success because history has never been a decisive factor for one’s future. Just like his name, Ssuubi, suggests to mean “hope,” his hopes are being fulfilled in the rightful period as he’s accomplishing his set goals since hope doesn’t disappoint.

Research indicates that the renowned billionaires and prosperous people across the world never had a hasty and well-built past but went through a derided life and persisted until they attained their victory, since persistence wears out resistance.