Daring to make a difference in society

By Joan Akello

Cissy Kagaba, Executive Director Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda speaks to Joan Akello about her life and career.

Three things we not know about you?

I am fairly quiet and reserved especially if I am not an acquaintance with you. I am also a very prayerful and committed Christian because to me God is the alpha and Omega in every sense of the word.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Laughter and peace of mind.

What is your greatest fear?

I am generally a daring person so zeroing on the greatest fear is a tall order. May be snakes?

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I can be impatient with slow people!

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Arrogance and ignorance are traits I cannot stand.

Which living person do you most admire?

My father! He is my hero and role model.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Perfumes.  I am close to obsessed with them. I need to do some stock taking to be sure how many I have now.

What is your current state of mind?

I am in a reflective mood, thinking family, thinking my career, thinking my country.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

You mean some virtues are over-rated? Some people think love is over rated.

On what occasion do you lie?

Wrong dial my dear! Not to suggest I am perfect but truth is, I endeavor to tell the truth at any and every occasion.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I love my appearance. Some people find my voice a little masculine but I am confident with it.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

God fearing and truly loving.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

loving; someone loving won’t lie to you, betray you and is a friend.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Family

Which talent would you most like to have?

The talent of public speech and ingenious writing, before I became E.D I never appreciated the power of words but now I do.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Nothing. I may have weaknesses here and there but I can only be human.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I have registered a number of achievements at my workplace and in the scope of activism which your magazine has reported severally. I am not the type that blows my trumpet but making a difference in my society is my measure of achievement.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

May be a bird? I am curious about their way of life up there in the skies. I think they also live the easiest and most adventurous life.

Where would you most like to live?

In paradise, wouldn’t you also want to live in paradise?

I would like to. So what is your most treasured possession?

My life; it’s the centerpiece of everything.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

May be when the world walks out on you and leaves you to deal with the misery alone.

What is your favorite occupation?

Being a mother to my son and career-wise using my space to make a difference in my society.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I speak my mind.

What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty and true love.

Who are your favorite writers?

I love Dan Brown. His books challenge and enable me think outside the box.  Robin Sharma, Joachim Buwembo, Chris Obore, Onyango Obbo, Charles Mpagi are brilliant writers and for the dot com writers- Ivan Okuda  is a young and promising writer.

Who is your hero of fiction?

John Grisham, he is good with legal fiction.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I may not necessarily identify with Margaret Thatcher, but I admire some of her works and one of my favorite quotes from her is “you want something said, tell a man. You want something done, tell a woman”.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My family and this includes my teammates at work where I spend the most time. They can make or break you.

What are your favorite names?

Nicholas. My son is called Nicholas and so is my kid brother.

What is it that you most dislike?

Arrogance and haters.

What is your greatest regret?

I have no regret, I believe whatever I do and have done was for a reason, which reason sometimes only God knows and knew.

How would you like to die?

In my sleep

What is your motto?

Trust in God and above all believe in yourself.