Justine Opira didn’t start his career in a server room. But his determination and passion for innovation have propelled him to his current role as ICT officer at Amref Health Africa in Uganda. He shares his unlikely journey – and why building a tech community matters.
Justine Opira started his career as a security officer in Uganda, where he spent seven years guarding different premises while quietly pursuing his education. Today, he serves as the IT officer at Amref Health Africa in Uganda, overseeing the technology operations across seven field offices and the country office, often single-handedly.
His transition into IT wasn’t immediate. “I was working in security, but during that time I was going to school. That is when I framed myself that I need to go and do IT.”
After securing his degree, he joined Amref as an intern in 2018 and steadily rose through the ranks to become IT officer in 2022.
Amref is an international non-profit organisation headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It is the largest health development non-governmental organisation based in Africa. In Uganda, Amref focuses on various health initiatives, and Justine's role is to ensure that the IT systems are working at optimum.
Continuous learning and innovation
Justine is not only the backbone of his office IT infrastructure, but also a passionate advocate for continuous learning and innovation. Despite operating as a one-man team, he has introduced AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot and DeepSeek to support staff efficiency, while also leading cybersecurity awareness sessions to strengthen digital resilience in the organisation. However, his enthusiasm for these tools is tempered with caution, he emphasises the importance of using them judiciously, warning against over-reliance, which he believes can hinder critical thinking.
He supports everything from remote network access and database troubleshooting to onsite problem-solving and health systems training.
“Technology keeps evolving every day, so you need to keep yourself updated,” he explains. “That’s one of the biggest challenges in IT – if the organisation doesn’t have money for training, it’s easy to fall behind. But even without a big team or budget, we find ways to adapt, to learn on the job and to keep moving forward.”
However, innovation doesn’t come without obstacles. One of the most significant challenges Justine has faced stems from shifts in international funding.
“We had around two projects that were supported by the US funding, but when the Trump administration brought in certain policies, the funding was cut,” he shares.
One of the affected initiatives is a major electronic document management system (EDMS) project, which has experienced serious delays due to the funding gap. “That project was fully funded by the Global Fund, but now the money to push it forward has been held up. It’s frustrating, because these systems are crucial to how we manage data and deliver impact in the organisation,” he adds.
Three-months internships
Despite the limited staffing and resources, Justine has had to quickly figure out how to make do with the situation. His approach to leadership is evident in how he manages the IT function by using interns for the daily running of the office. He regularly brings in IT students from local institutions for three-month internships.
“I take them through what they need to learn in their field,” he explains. “While I’m in the field offices resolving issues, the interns help manage things at the country office. It’s the only support I have right now, so I make sure they leave with practical knowledge that prepares them for the workplace.”
This informal pipeline not only keeps daily operations afloat but also builds a generation of young professionals with meaningful experiences.
The scale and pressure of his role often demand on-the-ground presence. “Right now, as I’m talking, I’m in Northern Uganda in one of our field offices because the issue couldn’t be resolved remotely,” he said during the interview. Such situations are common, especially when systems go down in areas with limited infrastructure.
It is for these reasons that Justine believes being part of a professional community like CITO East Africa offers a much-needed space for shared learning and peer support, something he currently lacks in his demanding solo role.
“When you bring many brains together in a certain field, you get different ideas, different innovations,” he says. “People think in different directions, and when you combine all those ideas, it brings something bigger.” He sees the community as a chance to exchange experiences, keep up with industry trends and learn how others are tackling challenges similar to his.
Outside the office, Justine finds balance in simple routines. “I like reading and following football – I am a Liverpool fan,” he says excitedly. “These things help me relax and recharge.”
