The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Maxime Van Pee’s Liteside
Any three things that we don’t know about you?
I am a risk taker. I try to be humble and respectful.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being surrounded by the people you love and doing something you are passionate about.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing one of my close ones.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Sometimes I aim to win too much. Moments have happened when I have pushed myself too much and ended up hurting myself.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Selfishness and being a racist.
Which living person do you most admire?
My father, Patrick Van Pee; he came to Africa with nothing but started out something, was broken down many times but was able to get back on his feet without giving up. I like the fact that he remains humble and never gives up even when things seem not to be going his way. I also admire my mother Adolphin for being a support system to the family.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Contributing to buying a bike or even a new gear, makes me happy. I also love travelling with friends and family.
What is the greatest thing you have ever done?
Starting the piggery project; I was really happy to start something from my own money. The project has grown to accommodate over 300 pigs.
What is your current state of mind?
I am happy.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
There is still a high degree of corruption in Uganda and feel like if this could be reduced, development would get faster and more people would benefit from the services. It gets frustrating how people pay taxes and almost gain nothing from them. This is home for me and I hope we can do something about corruption.
What does being powerful mean to you?
Being respected in your community. This translates into people listening and seeking advice from you. But it also means being able to offer working solutions to them.
On what occasion do you lie?
There have been times where if I don’t tell lies, I might miss out on an opportunity. I don’t however tell lies with an intention of hurting anyone.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
If I could be stronger and buffer.
Which living person do you most despise?
There are people that I like less but I don’t despise anyone.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Respect for self and others.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Respectful and being able to carry the family on his shoulders.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Family comes first for me although for my youngest sister, I spend more time with her which makes us bond the more. I also love my girlfriend, Lola.
When and where were you happiest?
The first win for the East African championship in 2015 when I had just completed school. The birth of my youngest sister because with the big age difference, I appreciated the moment more than with others.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Before motocross, I played football and it is one thing that I would love to re-awaken.
Where would you most like to live?
Uganda is home for me. Even when I travel and do more than two weeks, I start missing home.
What is your most treasured possession?
The unity within our family.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
No parent deserves to lose their children. It’s the hardest thing anyone can go through.
What is your favorite occupation?
Motocross is a passion and whenever I am on a bike, it’s a feeling that I can’t describe.
What is your marked characteristic?
I am a risk taker.
What do you most value in your friends?
Trust and having similar interests.
Who are your favorite writers?
I don’t read a lot.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Willard Carroll Smith aka Will Smith and Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio. I like the way they fit into the personalities they portray and it makes it so hard to believe that its fiction.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Nelson Mandela was a great man who fought for a good cause of having equality between races. From him, I have come to learn that if you want something, you should go for it.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents and grandmother; at 92 years old, she is still going strong.
What is your greatest regret?
There are things I wish I did more. For instance at school, there are subjects where I just gave the minimum to pass and yet I need them today. Information Technology is just one of them and I wish I had paid a little more attention during school.
How would you like to die?
In my sleep.
What is your motto?
I am here for a reason and purpose.
