Drake Sekeba: On his 50 years as a journalist

Drake Sekeba’s Liteside

Any three things we don’t know about you?

I am a hardworking and persevering person even when challenges seem to block my path. The pen common to journalists in undemocratic societies has taken me to jail for flimsy reasons, but most importantly, it has earned me honours and made me rub shoulders with the high and mighty.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

When things go right, for instance if I have a task to fulfill and it all goes well, it means happiness.

What is your greatest fear?

May be accidents; otherwise not many things.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I am an open minded person which doesn’t go well with others. I am also slow to forgive and forget those who wrong me something that I am still dealing with.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Failure to keep time; I fail to understand why someone can fail to make it at an agreed time.

Which living person do you most admire?

Former minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali; he has been in leadership for a long time holding powerful positions but remains humble even with the much that he has achieved. He also respects all people regardless of class.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I love good music and not particular to any class provided its food to my soul.

What is the greatest thing you have ever done?

Practicing journalism for 50 unbroken years.

What is your current state of mind?

I am at ease.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Addiction to social media; people waste a lot of time on social media spreading false or unnecessary information. But there are also people who don’t have jobs and yet those who have them only take them for granted. If you are in a position to serve people, it costs nothing to serve with diligence and passion.

What does being powerful mean to you?

Being able to speak your mind and put across a relevant issue means power.

On what occasion do you lie?

I don’t believe in lies.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

At this age, there is absolutely nothing that I can complain about my appearance.

Which living person do you most despise?

Someone who despises others thinking he’s greater than them in one way. I also despise people who mistreat others for their vulnerability.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Being tolerant, trustworthy, loving and wishes well for others.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Self-respect.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My family and that includes my wife, Margret Sekeba and children.

When and where were you happiest?

There are two or three happy moments in my career life. I was happy being imprisoned in Luzira fighting for my journalism professional and not because of being a criminal. I was also happy graduating in London with a Higher Diploma in Mass communication in 1978 because I didn’t have money but someone offered to cater for everything. One other moment was in 2000 while working on a program ‘Muteesa ne Uganda’ on WBS, I was tasked to travel to Britain and interview friends of Sir Edward Muteesa II but along the way, I lost the contact list but I was lucky to recover it. It would have been difficult to pull off the task without it.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Singing is one talent that I would love to rekindle. I also want to learn playing music instruments like piano.

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

At this age, I don’t believe that I can offer to change a thing about me.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

When I started out to practice journalism, the main aim was to make an impact which I have consistently done for more than 50 years. It is a great achievement.

Where would you most like to live?

I have had opportunities to stay outside Uganda before but I never wished to do that because I love my country. I would only like to visit India, Switzerland and Swaziland

What is your most treasured possession?

I treasure working as a journalist and impacting on many lives for over 50 unbroken years. While studying in Britain, it was my dream to make a name as a journalist which I have achieved.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Torture of any kind; mental or physical is unbearable.

What is your favorite occupation?

I chose to do journalism for life.

What do you most value in your friends?

Regular meeting; we should be able to check on each other often times.

Who are your favorite writers?

There are people who use the language in a poetic way for instance Paul Waibale Senior (RIP). I also like Charles Onyango-Obbo and Jenkins Kiwanuka’s writings are prolific. Their writings are easily understood as they carry the reader along to the scene.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Martin Luther King Jr who accomplished his dream of advocating for civil rights,   Martin Luther who broke away from the catholic church and begun the first protestant church, Princess Diana and Julius Kambarage Nyerere for his braveness  to liberate Africans

What is your greatest regret?

I wish I had taught journalism because I have always loved to impart knowledge in people.

How would you like to die?

I want to go peacefully in my sleep.

What is your motto?

Keep time keep promises.

****