Life of a Barista

Biographie de TUMUSIIME CHARLES

Venerable ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I once again have the privilege of introducing myself and sharing with you an insight that I consider one of the most illuminating from my coffee life journey. I am Tumusiime Charles, also known by my social media, as "Charles Ug Official". For this discourse, I have elected to use the name Charles Ug, as I have reserved the surname  Tumusiime for more intimate family use.
I was born in the Bundibugyo district of Uganda and raised in the nation's capital, Kampala. My educational path took me through three different primary schools, beginning at Children's Corner Junior School, then moving on to Old Kampala Primary School, and finally sitting my Primary Leaving Examinations at Kamwokya Islamic Primary School. Following this, I attended Pimbas Secondary School for my Ordinary and Advanced Level studies, ultimately leading me to Makerere University.
It was during my time at the university that I first began to explore the world of coffee, a pursuit that would eventually become my profession. Throughout this journey, I must confess that I initially harboured a sense of fear and doubt, and faced numerous setbacks. Despite the criticism and failures I encountered, I persevered, learning from each stumble and emerging stronger for it. Today, after years of unwavering dedication, I find myself in a position where I can impart my experiences and expertise to others.
However, I must address a prevalent misconception that exists among some individuals. They subscribe to the notion that our destinies are dictated by circumstances, luck, superstition, or a higher power that determines our fate. These individuals believe that success is largely dependent on one's connections, rather than on the foundations of knowledge and skills. My journey with coffee, however, has taught me otherwise.
It has demonstrated to me that resilience, hard work, and a steadfast commitment to improvement are the true determinants of success.