Annette Kezaabu on life as a mission

Annette Kasimbazi’s Liteside

Any three things that we don’t know about you?

Even if something hurts me, but is supposed to be fair, I will follow it. I leave myself out to do the right thing and I think that makes me different from others.

Some people describe me as a very strict person; there is no much of money you can give me to change my mind about something especially if it is fraudulent.

Other people have also commended my wisdom and I believe that it’s a gift from God. I am able to take decisions very fast because I hate bureaucracy

I attract people everywhere I go and sometimes, it goes off the professional level

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being at peace with self, family and statesmen. That means accomplishing that which you were set out to do

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I take the hard line and sometimes it doesn’t go well with other people. Towing the hard line even when it’s going to hurt you looks stupid and yet for me that’s very okay

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Being fraudulent and unreal

Which living person do you most admire?

Anyone who can resist temptations of things like money and remain purposeful to accomplish a mission

What is your greatest extravagance?

I read a lot of books for pleasure but I also spend so much on other people

What is the greatest thing you have ever done?

Being a person of influence wherever I have been

What is your current state of mind?

At peace waiting for another mission

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

I wonder why people have to compete with others yet our lanes are different.

What does being powerful mean to you?

Integrity and this goes with resisting temptation, thinking of others and working to transform society for better. Being powerful is also being purposeful

On what occasion do you lie?

I will tell a lie if it is collective responsibility but I will cry afterwards

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

There is something that has stayed with me from childhood but I will not mention

Which living person do you most despise?

Anybody who is fraudulent

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Satisfaction, living at peace with self and others, caring for family

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Taking care of the family in terms of provision

What or who is the greatest love of your life?     

Wherever I go, I always have people around me. I don’t underestimate the ability to influence those people and transform them from one thinking to another

When and where were you happiest?

Finishing my studies with a PhD in 2014 looked like it had lingered on for some time. I was also happy being able to get in touch with most of my Basongora people after a very long time. When I had my child in 2003, it was a happy moment and still gives me great joy

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

The world can be overwhelming because there is so much to do but I have managed to cause influence on people I have led, taught and worked with

Where would you most like to live?

You would not take me anywhere away from Uganda

What is your most treasured possession?

Good health matters. I also treasure the gift of giving

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being in a place where you are hopeless and don’t know God

What is your favorite occupation?

Being a Deputy Vice Chancellor at KIU gave me independence to take decisions, peace of mind, extension of workers and an opportunity to interact with different people

What do you most value in your friends?

Peace; a friend should not be a toxic person and should also be dependable at all times

Who are your favorite writers?

I like inspirational writers

Who is your hero of fiction?

For me it’s always about characters who transform people and deliver them from one place to another

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I already identify with Deborah in the bible and if I had a way, I would add her to my name. She was a liberator and had whatever I admire in a strong woman. I also think that while women should get married, they should not get lost in that life because they have a mission as individuals

Who are your heroes in real life?

Nelson Mandela went through a lot of suffering for his people

What is your greatest regret?

Everything is according to mission

How would you like to die?

I want to be in that place where I have emptied myself of all the gifts that God has given me, welcomes me as a faithful servant then go in my sleep

What is your motto?

‘Empty yourself of what you have and give it to the world’ and

‘Give thanks to God for everything that happens’