If you ask around Busoga International Polytechnic about who really knows how to make a workshop come alive, chances are you’ll hear the name Robert Katagwa.
He teaches Fluid Mechanics and Pipe Fitting, but what he really does is turn technical concepts into job-ready skills. No long theory lectures, no empty exercises—his students are building systems, testing joints, adjusting pressure gauges, and learning how to solve real engineering problems from day one.
Robert doesn’t see engineering as something abstract. For him, it’s physical, hands-on, and rooted in everyday problem-solving. That’s how he teaches it too.
On any given day in his class, students might be connecting industrial piping systems or learning how to troubleshoot flow disruptions. They handle real materials, use real tools, and work through the kinds of challenges they’ll face outside of school. He’s not interested in just “covering content”—he wants his students to understand how things work and why they fail.
It’s not just technical knowledge either. Robert is big on shaping how students think. He teaches them how to approach problems logically, how to design basic prototypes, and how to adapt under pressure. According to him, thinking like an engineer is just as important as acting like one.
In the workshop, Robert keeps things moving. He’s not the type to hover or spoon-feed answers. Instead, he sets expectations, gives clear instructions, and then watches how students apply what they’ve learned. He steps in when needed—but only after they’ve tried figuring it out themselves.
That’s part of why his students grow fast. They’re allowed to make mistakes, ask questions, and get hands-on experience. And they enjoy it—because they know the work matters.
When asked what makes a good student, Robert doesn’t mention grades. He talks about curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn beyond what’s required. Those are the students, he says, who’ll actually make it in the field.
He’s also clear about what’s at stake:
“Don’t just study for exams—learn with the purpose of becoming skilled and employable.”
Simple, but it cuts through.
Outside of the classroom, Robert’s still in motion. He’s into athletics and football, and you’ll often find him coaching or mentoring informally—wherever there's a chance to teach something useful.
He’s not trying to be anyone’s favorite teacher. He’s trying to build capable, confident technicians who can step onto a job site and get to work. That kind of focus is what makes Robert Katagwa not just an instructor—but a real mentor.
Want to learn from people who’ve done the work and know how to teach it?
Apply now to join Busoga International Polytechnic and start building skills that actually lead somewhere.
