Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga: On how he missed becoming an army general

Which living person do you most admire?

Rtd Col Dr Kiiza Besigye; I have never been under a leader who is as fearless, determined and loving as him. I admire a lot from him especially the intelligence that guides him to have a solution for every political puzzle. He is also very reliable and dependable so you don’t have to keep checking on him. I admire him for many reasons.

What is your greatest extravagance?

For the love of good life, I travel a lot.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Too much value attached to leisure; we have a wasted generation who attend so much value to leisure. The latest is the ‘Miss Curvy’ contest which has attracted the attention of many but mostly the young and energetic. Leisure is good but if too much value is put to it then it ceases to be good.

What does being powerful mean to you?

The ability to manage state of affairs in whatever field. Power must be felt by other people and it should be for majority good and beneficial

On what occasion do you lie?

I can tell a lie anytime as a human being but mostly as a politician. Politicians tell lies to escape circumstances.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I am overweight despite several measures to reduce.

Which living person do you most despise?

I shouldn’t reveal the person.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Having a big heart.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Standing by what he says.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My mother stood with me countless times and always gave me a second chance. If it wasn’t for her persistence, I wouldn’t have gone so far in school.

When and where were you happiest?

When I was elected mayor of Kawempe division in 2011; it meant opening up a new career thread in my life and was a way of cutting my losses of becoming a military general. I was also happy about my senior four results in 1996 having scored a good first grade. Passing Makerere law pre-entry exams was another happy moment; it was indeed survival on my side because failure would make news headlines. I disproved many Ugandans who consider me to be terribly stupid.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I plan to do something in military film making.

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

Anything to do with my weight. Heavy weight undermines good health.

Where would you most like to live?

I prefer to live in Canada where there is guarantee for life; life in Uganda has been made very cheap.

What is your most treasured possession?

A big heart that shares with others.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Every human being should be able to at least afford a daily meal.

What is your favorite occupation?

I would love to join civil society advocacy and offer free legal assistance to the poor and vulnerable.

What do you most value in your friends?

Being straightforward.

Who are your favorite writers?

I am not a good reader.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

None that I know of; historical figures have always been exaggerated. What we are doing today is what they did in their times. Their weaknesses and context are sometimes not captured or revealed.

What is your greatest regret?

I messed up myself the day I decided to join other students in a strike as we approached doing senior six exams. If not for that strike that disorganised me, I would have made it to pharmacy at Makerere University because I had the capacity.

How would you like to die?

Death is death no matter the path.

What is your motto?

If there is anything that a human being has done, then you can also do it.

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