Ex-auditor now runs stationery business

He plied his trade for three decades as an auditor at the Auditor General’s office. Mohammed Lubulwa, 62, talks to Phionah Nassanga about life after work. 

As you walk on Colville Street, you will hardly miss the name, Hajji. And at the mention of Hajji one could ask if you mean, the jolly old man. He sits in shop number 36, his stationery shop.  His real name is Mohammed Lubulwa.   

On the  morning of our interview, Lubulwa seems busy as he attends to clients including those ordering for drinks, ink cartridges and others waiting for photocopy services.  He attends to them meticulously and asks us to wait for 30 minutes.  The 62-year-old retired three years ago. 

Background

At 19, Lubulwa had sat his A-Levels at Makerere College, but due to financial problems he could not immediately continue with school.

“My retirement plan started when I got my first job. I was 19 years old and my uncle, who doubled as my employer at a restaurant, told me to work hard for my old age. Then, it seemed like a joke, but it stuck on my mind,” says Lubulwa.

One year down, he had raised what could fund his education. He used to work in the morning and study a course in accountancy in the evening.  As he contemplated looking elsewhere, civil service advertised for different accounting posts in the office of the Auditor  General.  

“When I saw the advert, I applied, and I was shortlisted,”  he says. 
Off to formal sector 

On April 6, 1982, Lubulwa ,24, was hired to work as an examiner of accounts. His responsibilities entailed inspecting accounting records and practices that were being carried out by the auditor’s office.   

After three years of work, he got an opportunity to further  his education.   In 1986, he joined Uganda Management Institute to pursue a diploma in Finance and Accountancy, among other short courses.

To remain relevant and keep in the work environment, in 1989 he took another course as an accounting technician at Management Accountancy Training Company (MAT) which lasted  three years. He was awarded a certificate of accountancy technician.  After this, his employer sponsored him for chartered public accountancy (CPA) at MAT. Meanwhile,  Lubulwa was rising through the ranks.  

Typical work

It was his custom to arrive at office at 8am. He started his day by reviewing email from auditors in the different ministries. These included the different training and travel notices and he was expected to perform auditing procedures. He also delegated certain tasks to ensure efficiency. 

“I was always among the first three people to arrive at office and the last to leave,” he recalls.

Lubulwa says after 32 years of working in the civil service in 2014, the Auditor General’s office became autonomous.   With his workmates, they were introduced to National Social Security Fund (NSSF). 

“At first, it was inconveniencing because the public sector continued to deduct Pay As You Earn then NSSF from my salary. It goes without mentioning that when we became an independent institution, our salaries improved,” Lubulwa recounts.            

Preparation 

Five years to retirement, Lubulwa started attending different conferences about retirement.

“I had saved and invested but I needed emotional preparation.  I needed to know what I was going to find in society,” he says.
His employer provided time off their workdays for employees to volunteer in different communities. 

“The experiences associated with community service equipped me to continue volunteering,” says Lubulwa.  Then,  he retired.  
“When I retired I joined Ssembila Audit and Accountancy firm where I do consultancy and training,” he says.  

Over and out 

After work, Lubulwa realised how he was such a workaholic. He had worked for more than three decades, but it took some time for him to stop waking up so early to beat the traffic jam.   

“After months of no emails or phone calls from office, I finally accepted that I was retired,” says Lubulwa.

Three years down the road, he has learnt that once one is out of office, people no longer respect you like before.

“However, it is relief knowing that one is not under any more pressure,” he sighs.

He received his gratuity because he had worked for the civil service sector but has since never received his pension. 

“To follow up on my pension, I handed in all the requirements but when I went back, I was disappointed to learn that my file had gone missing,” he says. 
He had to present fresh documents from his former employer and he is still waiting for a response. 

Keeping up with demands 

Life may not be the same as it was before, but Lubulwa is not complaining because he had prepared himself.

“When I was still employed, I built some rentals and set up a business which caters to the school fees of my three young children,” he notes.
Lubulwa runs the stationery shop with his wife.  This keeps him busy because he gets to meet people from all age groups.  

During his free time, he catches up with friends and enjoys spending time with his family, especially his young children.