INGRID: I rather die like a lion than live like a rat

Ingrid Turinawe’s light-side

I am contemplating further studies to qualify as a lawyer specialised in human rights so I can fight more for my people.

Any three things we don’t know about you?

I was born in Kanungu and married in Rukungiri districts. I am a mother of five and it has been during all the political struggles that I gave birth to them.

I started Walk-to-Work as a young mother and so I decided to get all my children into boarding school to comfortably do my work without worrying them. I prefer not to talk about my marriage life.

I am a God fearing and social person but it doesn’t stop me from fighting for my rights and for others. I can miss church but can’t fail to pray. If it wasn’t for my relationship with God, I wouldn’t be living by now.

I am a professional teacher who only managed to teach during school practice. I specialised in political education and history so it’s not surprising that I ended up as a politician because I somehow learnt it in class.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Family time and time of victory is a moment to share in happiness although it has not been victory throughout.

What is your greatest fear?

Snakes.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

When I fail at something, I may get demoralised and not craft a new way.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I distance myself from people who are fond of gossiping .

Which living person do you most admire?

I admire different people not because who they are but because of what they do. Miria Matembe is one of them for courage. She can negotiate on anyone’s behalf.

What is your greatest extravagance?

When my child asks for something, I don’t hesitate to provide it.

What is your current state of mind?

I am not relaxed because we are working harder than even during the campaign to regain our lost victory.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

I am concerned about some women of Uganda who praise the liberty under the current government. They forget that they are suffering, dying in labour wards every day, and they remain blinded.

On what occasion do you lie?

Only to save life.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Not anything .

Which living person do you most despise?

I don’t have permanent hates but I don’t share in the views of anyone who praises the NRM government .

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Speaking the truth and living by it.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

It’s about trust and telling the truth.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

I love my mother Jane Bakesiga for being there for me at all times. She has made me what I am and thinking about the competitive life she went through in a polygamous family to have us get the best and mould us into what we are is incomparable .

When and where were you happiest?

When I delivered my first born child in 1993. I went through unimaginable pain like any other woman but the cries of baby finally brought about immense joy and happiness.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I have not taken on singing seriously in my current life.

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

Not anything because I was created perfectly in God’s image.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I have successfully raised my children and I am ranked among the top women activists in Uganda. It’s not something that comes on a silver plate.

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

I don’t think I can ever come back as something I haven’t been.

Where would you most like to live?

I enjoyed my stay in Florida-USA. One of the people I visited welcomed me and appreciated my gift. It was a tortoise curving because it lives long and has a unique way of protecting itself from danger.

What is your most treasured possession?

Only life for myself and children.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being detained in prison.

What is your favorite occupation?

I am contemplating further studies to qualify as a lawyer specialised in human rights so I can fight more for my people.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I am a fearless woman.

What do you most value in your friends?

Speak the truth and stand by it.

Who are your favorite writers?

I like reading revolutionary articles or books so I don’t mind about the writers.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Rosa Louise Parks, the first lady of civil rights; she is a woman that sparked the end of slavery against black people. Most of my struggles are geared towards ending abuse of human rights.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks for their resilience and courage in their fight for human rights.

What is your greatest regret?

Although I have taken some decisions that have not paid off, there is no big regret.

How would you like to die?

Painless death in my sleep upon reaching old age

What is your motto?

Die like a lion than live like a rat