The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Isaiah Katumwa’s Liteside
Any three things that we don’t know about you?
I am passionate about humility, gentleness and kindness. Those are virtues I pursue and in my prayers, I keep asking God to help me be humble, kind, and an inspiration.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My joy is my family of children because they remind me of where I am coming from. I also think that they are my future. It’s joyful to have them.
What is your greatest fear?
Missing heaven because I have learnt that the world we live in is nothing. We just come, stay a few years and we are gone.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I am too kind that I carry people’s burdens and later realise that mine are heavier than theirs.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
You cannot help people who combine ignorance and arrogance.
Which living person do you most admire?
I admire Kirk Whalum’s godliness, humility and skill and yet he’s is such a big star. I also admire Darren Rahn who gave me my first working saxophone in 2000. I admire his love for God, joyful, personality but yet principled in a godly way. He has shown me what love means and wish I can be that.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Loving and giving to people. I have even got to spend what I don’t have just because I am passionate about helping somebody who is in the same place of need that I was some day.
What do you consider the greatest virtue?
Integrity; we don’t have enough integrity so you don’t know who to trust. We have forgotten the basics of being Ugandans to the extent that what makes sense to us are the colours. We need to get back to what it means to be Ugandans.
What does being powerful mean to you?
Positive influence; when someone has positive influence, then they are powerful and it doesn’t matter the level. Someone can inspire or touch others even without money.
On what occasion do you lie?
Telling lies is not something I love to do. I would rather not comment because lies eventually come back to you.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
None because the best designer is God. When he designs, he doesn’t stop.
Which living person do you most despise?
I despise someone who crashes people’s dreams and tells them it’s impossible without evidence. I despise especially those who use their influence to crash people’s faith and hope. Such people do the opposite of inspiring.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife and two sons.
When and where were you happiest?
When my mother (RIP) visited me in school after a long time. The birth of my children were unique and happy moments too.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I am driven by relevance because I have played football, badminton and basketball some of which have been at the national level but later dropped them. I would love to do motivational speaking because with it, I am able to inspire people with my influence. I intend to work out all my gifts.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
At least nothing.
Where would you most like to live?
Uganda because home is home and I can never change who I am. As long as I am Katumwa, my home is Uganda. I will always love my heritage.
What is your most treasured possession?
I am blessed to be multi-talented in different areas including painting, song writing and being a good speaker. God has gifted me in so many areas which I don’t know yet how best to use them.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Betrayal; especially when someone considers you important because of circumstances and after that, you are nothing. It’s painful because it limits you from trusting other people including friends and relatives.
What is your favorite occupation?
I don’t have a choice with music.
What do you most value in your friends?
God chooses and we connect through different situations. Friendship depends on how we met.
Who are your favorite writers?
For me it’s not about the style of writing but the content. I have a lot of respect and honour for Dr Myles Munroe and TD Jakes because their writings speak to my heart. Writing is about getting the platters into pictures.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
They are parts and pieces because my priority is godliness but also, I know that success is something we’ve got to pursue constantly. I admired Elly Wamala so much because of how successful and yet humble he was. I am also inspired by the life of Myles Munroe because he keeps me going.
What is your greatest regret?
I don’t think that there is anybody who has no regrets because that means they are perfect. We use the past to learn from it and what was painful will remain painful. It is only positive living to draw lessons from our past. There are definitely regrets but we’ve got to move on.
How would you like to die?
I wouldn’t answer that.
What is your motto?
‘I refuse circumstances to dictate my future’ and ‘Success is the best platform to use to influence lives.’
****
