Milka on being Monica in `Deception’

INTERVIEW: At 25 years, rising actress Milka Irene Sobya took on a role of a married woman in the NTV drama series `Deception’.  She plays a woman, Monica, who is torn between keeping her marriage and advancing her career amidst insults and abuses from a mother in law.

Milka has wowed audiences with her portrayal of the role although, in the beginning, she was just a university student in real life. She says it took a bit of work to get into the character of Monica; including how she does every day things like talking and eating.

“I was still in the boyfriend girlfriend relationship,” she says, “I didn’t know how to carry myself as a married woman.”

The second born of a captain and major in the Uganda army, Milka grew up in a barracks. She recalls acting in Sunday school dramas when she was only seven years old. She went on to act in school and church plays. She says in single-sex schools, she often acted male roles because of her commanding voice.

In 2009, Milka joined ‘Theatre Factory’ a drama group and featured in drama series like ‘The Rungu girls’, and dramas like ‘Christmas in Kampala’ and ‘Honeymoon is so exaggerated’. She says, however, that `Deception’ has proved to be the turning point of her career.

“Deception made me recognised as one of Uganda’s ambassadors to the Arusha African Film Festival in 2014. It has given me mileage and bigger projects await me”.

Although the acting career came with a lot of positive outcomes, it has had setbacks.

“I fell out with my fiancée when I started acting because his family wouldn’t let their son settle with an actress for a wife,” she says.

Milka studied Procurement and Logistics Management but she hopes to settle for an acting career.

“Every time I can reach out and touch someone’s life and I hear a `well done Milka, you give me hope to keep my marriage hoping for the best’ that is enough to set me off for another day of hard work,” Milka said.

Milka believes Uganda still has many stories to tell and reveals that the producers of `Deception’ are planning a live stage show of `Deception’ during the Christmas festive season.

Milka Irene Sobya’s liteside

Any three things we don’t know about you?

Milka is a loving and God-fearing person. It took my parents, especially father, up to two years to know about my acting career because they always away on military duties.

I did Procurement and Logistics management at the university but still don’t know why I took on such a course. How I wish I had done MDD. I attended single sex schools. `Deception’ has made it hard for me to differentiate between Monica and Milka.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Having a successful marriage; there is no greater happiness than having a companion to talk to and help beat the loneliness. Happiness cannot be attached to material things because they are blessings which some people are meant to have and others not.

What is your greatest fear?

Rejection; it makes me feel that I am worthless or not loved.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

When I am hurt, I lock myself in the house and vow never to talk about it. However, I am learning to talk.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Being selfish; I hate people who don’t wish good for others.

Which living person do you most admire?

My mother, Capt. Namutebi Agnes Mbuga; she is a very hardworking woman who affords a smile regardless of the atmosphere. I also admire Tara Perry; she is God- fearing and works with everyone.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I love beautiful shoes.