Frankly speaking with David Bahati, MP Ndorwa West.

By Joan Akello

He lost his parents at age three and had to vend cigarettes and bananas on the street until he was rescued by an orphanage.

As a politician, what challenge do you have to deal with every day?

Speed of service delivery is the biggest challenge. Politics is a great opportunity for anyone to offer service to others. The challenge is to see the amount of work being done and how long it takes government to respond.

Who is Bahati?

Humble and strong-willed.

That sounds contradictory, equivalent of saying you are bitter sweet

My background has shaped me into what I am. As an orphan, you must be humble to survive and yet you have to be strong-willed.

What is your favouritecolour?

Blueand black. They are simple to wear.

Imagine you were born a woman what kind would you be?

I do not know. I am a man.

Qualities you admire in a woman?

Patient, kind and loving. I have found all these in my wife.

What is your greatest achievement?

Husband to my wife and father to my three children and serving the people of Ndorwa West in parliament.

Any books you are reading?

The Biography of Tommy Franks, an American soldier who commanded the war in Iraq and the biography of Teddy Kennedy. But I read the Bible every day.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

Philippians 1:6: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” It inspires me.

Who inspires you?

Mother Theresa of Calcutta because of her passion for the underprivileged. When I see people and children on the streets and the underprivileged, I recall my past.

Anyperson here?

Mborogoza, one of the elders in Kigezi who tried to help the Bakiga find elsewhere to settle due to resettlement in land issues and our President who has been an inspiration to all of us.

How do you inspire others?

Service to the community.

What makes you happy?

When I do something good for others I am happy.

What angers you?

Injustice, exploiting the poor to do gruesome things because you have money.

Is having money bad?

I see money as a facilitator of life not an end in itself. Money is good. Everybody should work to get money to get facilities that make life comfortable.

Ever thought of being a rich man?

I am not very fussy about money. I have made it, seen it and lost it. I have had the privilege to make billions of money at an early age but also lost millions of money.

Your dream holiday destination

A small island in Bunyonyi

Why Bunyonyi?

Kabale is a quiet place, so is Lake Bunyonyi.It is the second deepest crater lake in Africa. I am comfortable with the hills… I have also heard that Kalangala has similar features.

How do you want to be remembered?

As someone who offered a shoulder to the helpless

What do you teach your children?

I teach them about hard work, how to pray and read the Bible and how to serve others. These are values I want them to take on even when I am gone.

Hardest decision in life?

Resign as head of Finance and Administration at the Population Secretariat to serve the people.

Your philosophy about life?

Service above self.