Sheila Kawamara: Born to fight for rights

Sheila Kawamara’s lite side

Any three things we don’t know about you?

I am a very assertive person who goes for what I believe in. I am extremely spiritual and a conservative practicing Catholic who can’t stand any attacks on the Catholic Church or the Pope. I am a family person who takes family in the sense of children and siblings first.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Living the life the way you want without being forced into something knowing that only you can create that happiness. I lost my husband but couldn’t mourn for the rest of my life and if time came for Sheila to remarry, I would go for it because it is absolutely about me.

What is your greatest fear?

Failure is my biggest fear because I have never experienced it.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I don’t like it when I don’t follow up on my friends or don’t return calls.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Dishonesty; I like it when someone pledges to do something and actually goes ahead to do it. I also hate injustice and unfairness which is why I am in the women’s movement.

Which living person do you most admire?

Hillary Clinton is a great woman who knew what exactly she wanted to do and went ahead to pursue it and if it wasn’t for the male chauvinism, she would be the president of America. The other one is Michelle Obama who is one of the few great women.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I spend too much on others wanting to make them happy and sometimes I doubt whether I had to go that far. I pray for God’s guidance to make appropriate investments.

What is your current state of mind?

Extremely stable and at peace with myself.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Gossiping and complaining up and about everything; it seems like we don’t even know what we want exactly. Even at loss, we should learn to move on and pursue other important things.

What does being powerful mean to you?

When somebody knows his or her worth; knowing that we derive power from others rather than exerting it on them.

On what occasion do you lie?

A lie is a lie and should be condemned but there are times when you are put on spot for failure to accomplish something and you throw in a lie. But I will later tell the truth to get back my conscience.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My own body doesn’t make me uncomfortable so I like who I am.

Which living person do you most despise?

I have learnt to despise him for failing to honour his promises.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Confidence in the sense of knowing who he is and loving .

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Confidence and living by her value systems.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My mother literally did everything for us and even as she grows older, she is still cheerful.

When and where were you happiest?

The day I walked down the aisle on my wedding day; it was so spontaneous knowing that we prepared and invited people within just a week.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to sing but my voice is always off.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Mothering my children as a single mother and seeing three of them graduate is just great.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

A very rich and stable woman living without turbulences.

Where would you most like to live?

I would only love to go to Cancun in Latin America for holiday and return to live in Uganda.

What is your most treasured possession?

I believe that everything is replaceable.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Poverty at the level of not affording a meal per day or dumping your own child in a pit sinks and eats up someone. No human being should go through such suffering.

What is your favorite occupation?

Being an advocate of fairness because it is something I can wake up and do so fast. Writing is another one which I do best when I am angry.

What do you most value in your friends?

Genuineness without putting up appearances.

Who are your favorite writers?

David Yallop is my best; he has a way of unraveling unresolved crimes. He is really a fantastic and intriguing author.

Who is your hero of fiction?

I loved Spearman and James Bond; they were characters who made things happen.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere stood for the truth, justice and liberation of their people.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My parents were always there for us and my husband will always be my number one cheer leader.

What is your greatest regret?

I do everything knowingly and so I don’t have to regret.

How would you like to die?

In my sleep when nobody has to suffer.

What is your motto?

Be true.

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editor@independent.co.ug