I’m surprised my last born is a hip hop star!

By Joan Akello

Dr. Margaret (Maggie) Blick Kigozi, 64, a business and sportswoman talked to Joan Akello about her life and family.

What two things do we not know about you?

I am a staunch Christian and I rest on Sunday which means I don’t go to church on Sunday.

What is your greatest surprise so far?

That my last born baby (a.k.a Navio) is a hip hop star!

What talent doesn’t your family have; it is so famous?

We cannot paint.

Do you still play tennis?

No. I stopped playing tennis many years ago when I discovered my best sport -Squash.

What is or was the best and worst advice you have ever received?

The best advice was from Ferdy Mwerinde who was a Commissioner in the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) when I first joined Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). She said make sure to know your subject; have all the facts and figures at your finger tips. As a female leader, everyone is just waiting to prove you are incompetent. The worst advice was from a male mentor of mine. When my husband passed away he advised that I should not get married again as I had children and a business to run. He advised that I should find a married man and see him occasionally. Me – a spare tyre as Sophie Gombya would say! Never.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

At this moment it is relaxing at the beach in Mombasa with my family for a week.

When and where were you happiest?

As a young doctor happily married with young children living in Nairobi.

What is your greatest fear?

It is the thought of instability returning to Uganda or any member of the East African Community (EAC).

What is the habit you most deplore in yourself?

My sweet tooth; I love everything sugary.

What is it you most deplore in others?

The smell of an unwashed body; take a shower in the morning and buy a deodorant.

Which living person do you most admire?

President Museveni. He led a rag tag army to take over an army that was out of control killing Ugandans. He has been able to ensure peace, security, democracy and economic development.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I’m not extravagant though I did spend much on sportswear for me and my children

What is your current state of mind?

I’m asking myself this question – what next after the roller-coaster ride as CEO of UIA?

On what occasion do you lie?

I lie to protect people who would be hurt by the truth.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I like my hands, nails, nose, thick hair, my green eyes and golden skin but not my slim arms and legs.

Which living person do you most despise?

A child molester.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Intelligence.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Confidence.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

It was my father (Eng. George William Blick) who was then overtaken by my husband (The late Eng. Daniel Sserwano Kigozi) who then took a back seat to my children who are now overtaken by my grandchildren.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would wish to write.

If you could change a thing, what would it be?

I would change the sense of responsibility I feel for too many people and cut loose.

What is your greatest achievement?

Having successfully raised my children, I also represented Uganda internationally in Tennis, Table Tennis, Squash and Motorcycle racing, proud to have been the first female Chancellor of a University (Nkumba), the first female Chief Scout, the first female CEO of UIA and, a director of a successful Ugandan joint venture Crown Beverages Ltd.

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

An eagle flying high in the sky.

Where would you most like to live?

I’m living exactly where I want to live; in Uganda.

What is your most treasured possession?

My Ipad. What would I do without it?

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

A hungry, unloved child.

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty.

Who are your favorite writers?

I love to read everything.

Who is your hero of fiction?

The Incredible Hulk

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Martin Luther King

Who are your heroes in real life?

James Mulwana (RIP), Nelson Mandela (RIP) and Museveni.

What are your favourite names?

Michelle.

What is it that you most dislike?

I most dislike centipedes.

What is your greatest regret?

It was losing my husband so early in life.

How would you like to die?

Sleeping peacefully in my bed.

What is your motto?

I don’t have a personal motto but my school motto ‘never give up’ works for me.

How do you want to be remembered?

I’ve lived for many years and done many things. I hope to be remembered as someone who made a difference.