She has a love for big cars

Kaitesi doing a routine inspection on the Toyota Fortuner she drives while on duty. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

What you need to know:

Joan Kaitesi is a driver at Chemonics, a Usaid Feed the Future contractor. She talks to Gumisiriza Mwesigye about how her job is more than just being on the road, how she got into driving as a profession, dealing with the stereotype about female drivers, and why she loves big cars.

How did you get into driving as a profession?
Naturally I’m an adventurous person. I like the uniqueness. To me, being a driver was more of this. I could have been doing something else. I was even given an opportunity of being an administrative assistant, but I turned down the offer.

Why? It seemed like a better deal
Many people who work behind desks usually don’t know much beyond their homes and probably their villages, for example, discovering new places, learning about different cultures. I have been to very many parts of Uganda that I would otherwise not because of my job.

What are some of these experiences?
It was when I worked at Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI). We were out in the field, and the nurse was not available during a circumcision and I was called in to lend a hand. Under instructions, I was able to do what they required help with.
I don’t only drive, I am able to do many other things. I am part of the team and should be as flexible as the other members would be as well. For instance, they would drive the car if I am not in position to do so.

How did you even learn how to drive in the first place, and moreover manual cars?
That was 2008. There was a car at home, it was a Toyota, commonly known as 1200. It was my husband’s work vehicle. I used it for practise after driving school. But it had “issues”. The gear lever, it would not engage easily.
It is something I learnt that it is always good to learn in an old car compared to a new car. Somehow, the older cars have such challenges and you have to figure it out. In fact, I pity those women who want to learn how to drive from their cars.

Why?
Because with the old cars, it would help them understand that driving is more than just moving from one point to another.
You get to learn how the car works, the different parts, how to do the necessary checks before you drive off.
When the car is relatively in good condition, it is easy to take things for granted. For instance, fixing a tyre or what to do when the battery is flat.

Did you learn to drive out of circumstances or curiosity?
I would say it was a combination of both. At that time, I was working with my husband. But when, he was caught up, it become difficult to call someone to drive, do school drops and pick ups, shopping and other hands. So, I had to learn how to drive.
Also, I was particularly inspired by a documentary I watched on TV aboout a female bus driver in Kenya. She operated on the Nairobi-Mombasa route.
So, you love big vehicles?
Yes, I do. In fact, I am happy that in my job I drive 4WD SUVs. My ambition is to drive those big lorries like the UN trucks, operate those ones used in road construction. Also, apart from the big ones, I would love to drive a rally car.

Oh, that seems “unladylike”?
I encounter that stereotype often, and I take in stride. I let what I can do, not my gender, speak for itself.

What has this job taught you?
You get to know many other skills, it is a platform to learn. Confidence because if you are not confident, you can’t get on the road. Discipline because the road is a dangerous places to work. Responsibility; you are responsbile for the car and also hold the lives of others in your hands. Obviously, time management.