MP Bernard Atiku on being unselfish

Bernard Atiku’s Liteside

Any three things that we don’t know about you?

I am one simple person and very humble but very emotional with disappointments. If you disappoint me, you cannot guarantee how I would react. If I am honest with you and you reward me with dishonesty, you will not get the best of me. I am also very time conscious unless the situation is beyond my capacity to manage.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being able to help those who are in need.

What is your greatest fear?

Not being able to help those who are desperately in need.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Many times I am a perfectionist and some people interpret it to being unaccommodating.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Untrustworthiness and laziness.

Which living person do you most admire?

I give it to Obama; I was inspired by Obama coming out as one of the distinguished global leaders. Even after his tenure, Obama remains relevant and influential; especially among young people.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Football and education have an open cheque from me. I am the patron of Onduparaka FC and I am willing to give in my best for the good of the team.

What is the greatest thing you have ever done?

It is still work in progress. I would love to see the lives of my people improve. I dream of setting up a model village where my people appreciate humanity living in harmony and peace.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Honour; we do a lot of talking and many times praise those who don’t deserve. We are also easily gullible and this has limited our talent of invention and innovation. I look forward to a moment when we begin to take pride in our actions.

What does being powerful mean to you?

Being able to follow the rules of the game to the latter.

On what occasion do you lie?

I hate to tell lies save on a few occasions if it is unavoidable and for the good of a situation.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

This is what God has made me to be and I appreciate it. The beauty of man is from the inside.

Which living person do you most despise?

Anyone who abuses their leadership positions without remorse. Leaders must stick to their promises and work hard to deliver on them.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Selflessness.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Selflessness.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My parents and wife.

When and where were you happiest?

In 2004 when I graduated from Makerere University as the first graduate from our family. I was also happy at my traditional wedding last year and at the birth of my first child.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Playing golf; especially once I am out of active political engagement. The game keeps you interacting with people and uses the entire human aspect.

Where would you most like to live?

I don’t see myself living elsewhere apart from Uganda.

What is your most treasured possession?

My character of selflessness; I reserve nothing if someone is in need of my help.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

I have witnessed street children barely two years old being exploited to beg under the scorching sun and felt so low. They don’t deserve such inhumane treatment.

What is your favorite occupation?

I like what I am doing at the moment because through my position, I have the liberty to interact with and motivate people.

What do you most value in your friends?

Being of help to one another without having an ulterior motive.

Who are your favorite writers?

I love to read the writings of Nelson Mandela.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I am already falling short of his ways but I still look up to Nelson Mandela to guide my leadership path.

What is your greatest regret?

I regret being unable to join law school due to lack of finances because it is something that I really wanted to do.

How would you like to die?

Instantly after growing old because long life is beautiful and you have the opportunity to witness many things happen.

What is your motto?

Self-belief.

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